For the first time since match-week 20 and only the third time this season, there’s uniformity in the NPFL table. Every team has played 32 matches with 6 more games left of the league season.
Teams have had to pause their season for Rivers United to catch up after exiting the continent. There was also the small matter of the President’s Federation Cup in that period.
But with everyone now on the same number of games played and action set to resume, this seems like the perfect timing to analyze the journey so far and the run-in.
Who are the title contenders and what separates them from continental hopefuls? Which teams are in a fight till the end for survival? Who wins the much coveted Golden Boot?
Here’s my attempt to try and point out what every team is playing for, for the rest of the season. We start with the big one.
Who Are The Title Contenders?
It looks like a two-horse race between Rangers International and Remo Stars at the moment. Currently separated by a single point(Rangers 57, Remo 56), both sides will fancy their chances of lifting the trophy at the end of the season but as we know, one game is a lot in football, let alone six.
Rangers hold the advantage right now but they have got a tricky set of fixtures to try and navigate. A trip to Lagos where they will face Sporting, followed by a home game against an Enyimba team who might still be in the race has been moved back so they resume with a home game against Bayelsa United.
Then a trip to Ibadan to face in-form Shooting Stars before a home game against stingy Bendel Insurance. Gombe United in far away north is their final game of the season. These are very difficult sets of games that would no doubt make them worthy winners if they scale through.
For Remo, Kano Pillars who they have never beaten in the NPFL, struggling Heartland, and Katsina United are their remaining home fixtures for the season. And on the road, Lobi looks like their most difficult game but Kwara United who they play next, and Sunshine Stars could spring up with surprises.
Enyimba would argue they are still in the race but except their appeal(against deducted points) is successful, I don’t see how they win the league.
![NPFL Title run-in](https://sportsintel.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240524_142813_0000.png)
Who Are The Continental Hopefuls?
While a defense of the league title might not be possible, a continental ticket is very much within reach for the People’s Elephant. However, Shooting Stars, Lobi Stars, and maybe Plateau United would also be fighting for that last guaranteed slot.
Enyimba leads the continental chasing pack with 53 points, one more than Shooting and Lobi and three better than Plateau. Like the title, this one could get to the final match week before it is decided. If you ask me to stick my neck out on someone, I’ll probably say Enyimba gets a ticket.
![NPFL continental run-in](https://sportsintel.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Copy-of-Sports-Intel-Quote-Yellow_20240524_142637_0000.png)
The Fight Against The Drop
While Gombe United and Heartland look destined for relegation, the teams directly above them still have a fighting chance. And by the ‘teams above them’, I mean Akwa United and Sunshine Stars – the two other teams in the red zone.
It’s been a season to forget for Akwa United who have been in relegation waters from the very start. Inconsistency at home has been their major downfall and has led to three changes in the dugout. They will hope Babaganaru(the man in charge now) can work his magic and keep them up.
Sunshine Stars and Bayelsa United are level on points and goal difference, Bayelsa only occupy the last safety position because of their superior goals scored. Doma United who were at some point top of the log are just above them and things are looking bleak. Just 3 goals scored in their last 10 games, that isn’t the sort of return to fight relegation.
There are a couple more teams above them that are still in this muddy waters. Kwara United(41), Sporting Lagos(41), and Niger Tornadoes(42) cannot afford any mishap at this point. And although there’s a bit of space between them and the drop zone, Abia Warriors, Kano Pillars, and Rivers United- all on 44 points- cannot be comfortable.
This is a battle that lasts till the end and possibly is as exciting as the one at the top. One more away win(and Maximum points at home) could just be enough to save one of them.
Who Wins The Golden Boot?
For the last 10 seasons, there’s been a different Golden Boot winner and this season will be the same.
Sikiru Alimi(14), Chijioke Mbaoma(13), and Albert Hilary(12) are the major contenders this season, and one of them is most likely going to win it.
Although it must be said that this has been an underwhelming second half of the season for these men.
Alimi has managed 3 goals in his last 5 matches and those are his only goals from 10 games this year. That’s nowhere near the 11 he scored in 18 games in the first stanza.
Mbaoma has scored 5 in the second stanza but only once in his last 8 games. He has fired blanks in the last 3 matches.
The last of the trio, Hilary has also hit a stumbling block after a purple patch just before Christmas up until March. He had contributed 14 goals(11 goals, 3 assists) in that period but has not scored in 4 games since.
![NPFL top scorers Sikiru Alimi, Chijioke Mbaoma and Albert Hilary](https://sportsintel.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Untitled-Design_20240520_153644_0000.jpg)
There’s little chance of these guys smashing Mfon Udoh’s long-standing goal record of 23. But there’s a solid chance Chukwuemeka Obioma’s 16 from last season will be matched or even surpassed.
This weekend is the first of 6 eventful match days that will present some twists and turns. There will be desperation in some quarters and people crumbling under pressure from here till the end of the season. Here’s your cue to not be overly stunned by some of the things you’ll witness. Happy NPFL run-in!
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