Remo Stars Crowned NPFL Champions After Dominant 4-1 Victory Over Ikorodu City
Remo Stars were officially crowned champions of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday, celebrating their historic triumph with a resounding 4-1 win over Ikorodu City in front of jubilant home fans.
A Championship Celebration at Remo Stars Stadium
While the Sky Blue Stars had mathematically secured the title on Matchday 35, their final home game at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne served as the official trophy presentation ceremony. The match transformed into a festival of football as the newly-crowned champions came from behind to dismantle their South West rivals.
The victory not only capped off a remarkable season but also ended Ikorodu City’s hopes of securing a continental slot, while solidifying Remo Stars’ position at the league summit with 71 points.
Historic Milestones for Remo Stars and Ogun State
Remo Stars’ title triumph represents multiple historic firsts in Nigerian football:
- The club’s first-ever NPFL championship
- The first title by a privately-owned team in over two decades
- Ogun State’s first top-flight league champion since its creation in 1976
The team now stands just two points shy of matching the second-highest points tally in NPFL history (73 by Dolphins in 2010/11), with only Rivers United’s 77-point campaign in 2021/22 remaining ahead.
Carnival Atmosphere in Ikenne
The celebrations began well before kickoff and continued long after the final whistle. The club transformed their stadium into a carnival ground, featuring:
- Live performance by popular Nigerian artiste Shoday
- Free refreshments for the first 1,500 fans
- Exciting giveaways including smartphones, a 55-inch Smart TV, and round-trip tickets from ValueJet Airlines
The club’s social media channels boldly declared the 2024/25 title “the first of many to come,” signaling their ambition to establish a dynasty in Nigerian football.
Continental Qualification Drama
While Remo Stars celebrated their championship, the battle for CAF competition spots provided equal drama:
- Rivers United (61 points) secured qualification despite a 3-1 loss to Kwara United
- Abia Warriors (60 points) booked their continental ticket with a 2-1 win over El-Kanemi Warriors
Both teams will battle for second place on the final matchday, with the runner-up earning a CAF Champions League spot and the third-placed team entering the Confederation Cup.
Relegation Battles Conclude
At the bottom of the table:
- Sunshine Stars were relegated after a 2-1 loss to Niger Tornadoes
- Nasarawa United secured survival with a thrilling 3-2 win over Enyimba
- Heartland FC’s hopes ended with a 1-0 defeat at Bendel Insurance
Matchday 37 Full Results:
- Remo Stars 4-1 Ikorodu City
- Bendel Insurance 1-0 Heartland
- Plateau United 2-1 Lobi Stars
- Nasarawa United 3-2 Enyimba
- Kwara United 3-1 Rivers United
- Rangers 4-0 Katsina United
- Kano Pillars 3-1 Shooting Stars
- Abia Warriors 2-1 El-Kanemi Warriors
- Akwa United 2-0 Bayelsa United
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