Defending Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Remo Stars suffered a 2–1 home defeat to Plateau United in a Matchday 24 fixture on Monday.
Plateau United took the lead in the 29th minute through Jonathan Okechukwu, before Albert Korvah equalised for Remo Stars shortly after the hour mark. However, Harrison Ebah struck deep in stoppage time to seal the victory for the visitors.
The result extended Plateau United’s unbeaten run to five consecutive league matches, adding momentum to their campaign.
In Ilorin, Kwara United returned to winning ways with a 2–1 win over Warri Wolves. Saheed Olaniyi grabbed a brace for Kwara, while Peter Ita scored the solitary goal for Warri Wolves.
Elsewhere, Barau FC defeated Ikorodu City 1–0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, with Uche Moses scoring the decisive goal in the 28th minute.
Editorial
In the tapestry of Nigeria’s top flight, some results are immediately revelatory others, more insidious. Remo Stars’ home defeat to Plateau United belongs to the latter category a loss that speaks not of isolated misfortune but of an underlying fragility at a club expected to steer the title race.
At times in recent seasons, Remo Stars have moved with the assuredness of a true contender. Yet this campaign has been punctuated by inconsistency a theme underlined by Monday’s late concession in Abeokuta. Plateau United’s persistence, culminating in Harrison Ebah’s stoppage-time winner, was not accidental but symptomatic of a side growing in belief and cohesion.
The contrasting narratives of the weekend were starkly illustrated in Ilorin, where Kwara United rediscovered momentum with a 2–1 victory over Warri Wolves. Saheed Olaniyi’s brace provided the spark for a side that has oscillated between promise and frustration this term, reminding fans and rivals alike that the “Harmony Boys” possess both scoring instinct and competitive patience.
Barau FC’s narrow win over Ikorodu City quietly affirmed the league’s relentless competitiveness. In a division where margins are fine and points precious, even mid-table clashes carry the weight of consequence.
Taken together, these results reinforce a larger theme the NPFL remains fractious and unpredictable. For Remo Stars, the task ahead requires not only tactical clarity but psychological resilience. For the chasing pack, it offers a reminder that openings however slender can be exploited by those ready to seize them. In a league as dynamic as Nigeria’s, no position is guaranteed and no narrative fixed.
Did You Know?
- Plateau United’s unbeaten run now spans five league games, highlighting their resurgence since the mid-season break.
- Remo Stars have experienced multiple recent setbacks, including elimination from continental competition and fluctuating league form this season.
- Kwara United’s Saheed Olaniyi’s brace continued his fine scoring form this season, positioning him among Kwara’s most impactful attackers.
- Barau FC’s victory over Ikorodu City nudged them further up the NPFL table, reinforcing their growing competitiveness in the league.
- Recent head-to-head data shows that Remo Stars and Kwara United have a balanced rivalry historically, with both clubs winning five of their previous 11 encounters and one draw.
