On Matchday 17 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Shooting Stars SC and Abia Warriors secured valuable away victories, while defending champions Remo Stars suffered a surprise 2–1 defeat to Bayelsa United in Yenagoa on Sunday.
At the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, Shooting Stars edged Barau FC 1–0 thanks to Sodiq Ibrahim’s goal in the ninth minute, marking the Oluyole Warriors’ second away win of the season. In Owerri, Abia Warriors also recorded a road win, with Suraju Lawal scoring the 81st-minute winner to beat Kun Khalifat FC 1–0.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa United claimed all three points at the Samson Siasia Stadium, coming from behind to defeat Remo Stars 2–1. Victor Mbaoma had put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute, but Fabby Clark equalised in the 59th and Emo James struck five minutes later to complete the turnaround and deal the defending champions a rare setback.
Elsewhere in the weekend’s action, Enyimba returned to form with a 3–1 home win over Kwara United, while Niger Tornadoes thrashed El-Kanemi Warriors 3–0. Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars played out a goalless draw, and other fixtures produced a mix of draws and decisive results.
Editorial
There is an old sporting adage that away victories are the bread and butter of playoff contenders, and on Matchday 17 of the NPFL, that wisdom was writ large across three different venues. Shooting Stars and Abia Warriors, both seasoned competitors in the top flight, demonstrated the resilience and composure so essential to success on the road — a quality that often separates mid-table dwellers from genuine challengers.
At the Sani Abacha Stadium, Shooting Stars seized an early advantage and managed the game with the discipline of a side comfortable in pressure situations. The lone goal from Sodiq Ibrahim was not just a strike on the scoresheet it was a manifestation of tactical patience, of knowing when to seize initiative and when to compact defensively. Similarly, Abia Warriors’ late winner from Suraju Lawal in Owerri epitomised tenacity refusing to settle for parity and pushing relentlessly until the decisive moment arrived.
Perhaps the day’s most talked-about result came in Yenagoa, where Bayelsa United’s spirited comeback against reigning champions Remo Stars served notice that this season’s title race lacks any single guarantor of dominance. Remo Stars’ early lead suggested routine, but Bayelsa’s second-half response crafted with urgency and driven by belief reminded neutrals why the NPFL remains unpredictable and fiercely competitive.
Weekend results like these do more than shuffle standings they shape narratives. They test the mettle of teams chasing continental spots, they reward strategic coherence away from home, and they expose vulnerabilities even in erstwhile favourites. In the grind of a long season, the ability to win on the road or to recover from setbacks at home often heralds not merely good form, but championship calibre.
Did You Know?
- Shooting Stars’ 1–0 win over Barau FC was their second away victory of the 2025/26 NPFL season, underscoring improved consistency in difficult environments.
- Suraju Lawal’s 81st-minute strike for Abia Warriors continued his reputation for clutch goals late in matches, with the Umuahia side now firmly in the mix among the league’s top contenders.
- Bayelsa United’s comeback win dented Remo Stars’ title hopes and showed that defending champions are not immune to upsets even against mid-table rivals.
- Enyimba’s 3–1 victory over Kwara United marked a return to form after a brief slump, keeping the People’s Elephant in contention for a top-half finish.
- Niger Tornadoes’ 3–0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors was one of the day’s most emphatic results, boosting their position in the standings and highlighting their attacking potential this season.
