1 week Ago By Our Reporters
Lobi Stars’ 27-year stay in the Nigeria Premier Football League came to a painful end on Saturday evening following a 2–0 defeat to Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium. The nomadic side without a permanent home ground entered matchday 33 rooted to the bottom of the league and in desperate need of a result. But goals from Ahmed Musa and Naziru Auwalu Ibrahim confirmed their relegation with five matches left to play.
Despite holding off the host side in the first half, Lobi’s defence was eventually breached ten minutes after the restart when veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali set up Musa to fire home the opener. With Lobi pushing for a late equaliser to keep their survival hopes alive, Pillars were awarded a penalty in stoppage time. Naziru calmly dispatched the spot-kick to seal victory and officially end Lobi’s long-standing tenure in the top-flight division.
The result extends Lobi Stars’ winless streak to 17 matches. They have not won a single league game in 2025, with their last victory coming on 14 December 2024 against Plateau United. Since then, they have recorded 11 defeats and six draws.
This season has seen Lobi post the poorest statistical record in the league with the fewest wins (5), the fewest goals scored (23), the most losses (18), and the lowest points tally (25). It is a dramatic fall for a club that made history by becoming the first club to win the Nigerian league title in a debut season in 1998–99. Over the years, they have represented the country in continental competitions, featuring in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2003, 2005, and 2012, and reaching the group stage of the Champions League in 2018, a feat no Nigerian side has replicated since.
Related News Fan stabs Plateau United player after NPFL game NPFL: Troubled Sunshine host continental-chasing Enyimba NPFL fines Shooting Stars ₦5m, bans fans after Ikorodu City attack While Lobi Stars’ relegation was confirmed, the struggle to avoid joining them in the drop intensified across the country, with contrasting fortunes for the other clubs embroiled in the battle. Heartland, sitting 17th on the log, produced arguably the most impressive result of the weekend with a shock 2–0 away win over defending champions Rangers International. Goals from Suraju Lawal in the 21st minute and Isaac Nassy shortly after the break handed the Owerri side three crucial points.
The result lifts Heartland to 41 points and momentarily out of the drop zone. Just above them, Katsina United earned a valuable goalless draw away to league leaders Remo Stars in Ikenne. Despite their embarrassing 6-0 loss in midweek and dismal away form all season, the result keeps Katsina level on 41 points with Heartland, though trailing on goal difference.
In Uyo, 18th-placed Akwa United were held to a 1–1 draw by El-Kanemi Warriors, who are just a place above them in 15th. Kabir Osoba had given the Promise Keepers a first-half lead, but a second-half own goal by Wisdom Ndon denied them maximum points. The result does little to ease Akwa’s relegation fears, keeping them on 38 points.
Sunshine Stars, occupying 19th, kept their survival hopes alive with a 2–1 win over Enyimba in Akure. Elmer Arunta opened the scoring early, and Waheed Adebayo restored their lead before half-time after Christian Nnaji had levelled for the visitors. Sunshine now join Akwa United on 38 points but remain behind on goal difference.
With just five matches left, the margin between safety and relegation remains razor-thing as only four points separate 10th-placed Bayelsa United (45 pts) from Katsina United in 17th..
