The Nigerian Premier Football League, NPFL title race saw a dramatic twist on Matchday 36, with leading contenders dropping crucial points in a series of controversy-filled matches.
Rangers International, the league leaders, suffered a setback with a 1-0 loss to Shooting Stars in Ibadan. Christian Pyagbara’s first-half header sealed the victory for Shooting Stars.
This defeat ended Rangers’ four-match unbeaten run and leaves them vulnerable at the top of the table.
Defending champions Enyimba failed to capitalize on Rangers’ slip-up. They were held to a 1-1 draw at home by relegation-threatened Bayelsa United.
The biggest winners of the day were Remo Stars, who thrashed Heartland 4-1. Stanley Joseph’s brilliant brace in the 14th and 69th minutes was the highlight of the for the Sky Blue Warriors.
“We remain focused to the end of the season and we keep our eyes on where we think we should be,” Joseph said. “We will not get distracted by any victory at this moment.”
This win puts Remo Stars in second place on the NPFL table with 62 points, just two points behind Rangers. With two matches left in the season, Remo Stars are in a strong position to challenge for the title, hoping for a slip-up from Rangers to seize the top spot.
Heartland’s heavy defeat confirmed their relegation to the second-tier NNL, marking a disappointing end to their season.
