Anas Yusuf Strikes Again as NPFL Title Race Tightens Dramatically

As the Nigerian Professional Football League NPFL barrels towards its dramatic finale, matchday action delivered upsets, comebacks, and shifting positions in the league table. Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf added another chapter to his stellar season by netting his 15th goal in a thrilling 3-2 win over Plateau United.

Heartland FC, battling relegation and weighed by grief following the death of club legend Christian Chukwu, stunned reigning champions Enugu Rangers with their first victory in six matches. The win breathes hope into their survival fight, having endured one draw and four defeats prior.

Abia Warriors firmly entered the championship race after a solid 2-0 victory at home against Rivers United. The win means they now sit just two points behind their defeated visitors, who remain in second place. With five rounds remaining, the title race is wide open.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa returned to the scoresheet, leading Kano Pillars to a 2-0 triumph over bottom placed Lobi Stars. The defeat leaves Lobi Stars in deeper trouble, continuing a dismal run without a win in 2025.

Elsewhere, Remo Stars dropped points at home in a goalless stalemate with Katsina United but still managed to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points. Sunshine Stars, despite a 2-1 win over Enyimba, remained second from bottom. Akwa United also remain in the relegation zone despite having the same points tally as Sunshine but with a better goal difference.

Editorial

We are witnessing the kind of NPFL season that keeps fans glued to their seats and hearts in their throats. The unpredictability and intensity of recent matchdays show just how far the league has come. But beyond the goals and table shifts, it’s the personal stories like that of Anas Yusuf or the emotional resilience of Heartland that remind us of football’s depth and power.

Yusuf has become the heartbeat of Nasarawa United’s campaign. At just 15 goals, he’s not only leading the charts he’s lifting his team match after match. For a league often short on consistent goalscorers, Yusuf’s reliability is a breath of fresh air. And his performances raise the question: what next? A move abroad? A national team call-up? Either way, his rise is a reflection of raw talent meeting determination.

And what of Heartland? In mourning one of their greatest, they pulled off a performance that would have made Christian Chukwu proud. It was more than just three points it was a statement of unity and survival instinct. That’s the beauty of football: moments of triumph when they’re needed most.

At the top of the table, Abia Warriors are reminding everyone that they’re not just here to make up numbers. Their win against Rivers United throws the title race wide open, proving that belief and timing can upset the hierarchy. With five rounds left, the fight for the crown may come down to the final whistle.

We must keep celebrating the NPFL’s growth and competitive spirit. From Musa’s leadership to relegation battles that refuse to be predictable, this season has delivered. If this is the new standard, Nigerian football fans are in for a thrilling future.

Did You Know?

1. Anas Yusuf’s 15-goal tally is the highest in a single NPFL season since 2017.
2. Christian Chukwu captained Nigeria to their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980.
3. Abia Warriors were founded in 2003 and played their first NPFL season in 2014.
4. Ahmed Musa is the only Nigerian player to have scored in two different FIFA World Cups 2014 and 2018.
5. Remo Stars have only lost once at home in the last two NPFL seasons.