With one match remaining in the championship playoff stage of the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), it now appears to be a two horse race for the title that is building up to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday. Enyimba and Rivers United both earned victories in Friday’s penultimate round of matches to leave the two teams even on eight points at the top. The final round of matches will see the two teams face each other with a title on the line where a victory or draw will clinch the title for Enyimba.

Rivers edged Bendel Insurance by a 2-1 score with goals from Morice Chukwu and Joseph Onoja while Nigeria national team call-up Divine Nwachukwu provided a late consolation for Bendel. The Pride of Rivers State will head into Sunday’s crucial title clash knowing they have won the last two meetings against Enyimba but the teams have not faced each other yet this season.

Enyimba do have an advantage heading into Sunday’s match because they hold the edge on the goal differential tiebreaker after the People’s Elephant dominated Sunshine Stars for a 3-0 victory. Enyimba’s high pressure caused all sorts of issues for Sunshine Stars who looked sluggish as they conceded the opening goal to Mbaoma Chijioke inside three minutes. Chijioke doubled his tally and Enyimba’s lead only five minutes later while Ikenna Cooper finished the scoring in the second half.

Remo Stars do have an outside chance of sneaking into top spot following their 2-0 victory over Lobi Stars. Junior Lokosa and  Olamilekan Adams found the net inside the opening thirty minutes in a comfortable outing. If Enyimba and Rivers United draw on Sunday, Remo Stars could seize top spot but will need to win by at least two goals against Bendel Insurance.

Video of all the goals from Friday’s matches are below following the list of scores and the updated table.

Rivers United 2-1 Bendel Insurance

Remo Stars 2-0 Lobi Stars

Enyimba 3-0 Sunshine Stars

Enyimba 3-0 Sunshine Stars

Rivers United 2-1 Bendel Insurance

Remo Stars 2-0 Lobi Stars