Bendel Insurance stun holders 3-2 in Abeokuta; late penalties and dramatic wins highlight Sunday’s action.

NPFL Matchday 18 results

Drama Across NPFL Grounds on Matchday 18

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) served up plenty of excitement on Sunday, December 21, 2025, as Matchday 18 delivered shocks, late goals, and crucial points in the title and survival battles.

Champions Remo Stars suffered a surprising 3-2 home defeat to Bendel Insurance at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

Wisdom Ndon (14′) and Chinedu Nwosu (28′) put Insurance 2-0 up, with Olalekan Adeleke pulling one back immediately. An own goal by Henry Onyian restored the two-goal lead before halftime, and though Victor Mbaoma scored in the 62nd minute, Remo couldn’t find an equalizer.

Elsewhere, Abia Warriors snatched a dramatic 1-0 win over Warri Wolves courtesy of Sunday Megwo‘s stoppage-time penalty at Umuahia Township Stadium.

Kwara United cruised to a 2-0 victory against Bayelsa United in Ilorin, with Babatunde Bright and Ini Emmanuel on target.

Shooting Stars edged Niger Tornadoes 2-1 in Ibadan, thanks to Gbolagade Adelowo‘s first-half penalty and Promise Awosanmi‘s 66th-minute strike. Kufre Ebong grabbed a late consolation.

Rangers maintained their strong form with a 2-1 home win over Ikorodu City in Enugu, goals from Godwin Obaje and Christian Nwobodo proving decisive despite Rasheed Owolabi‘s added-time reply.

Wikki Tourists and Kun Khalifat shared spoils in a 0-0 draw in Bauchi.

Full Matchday 18 Results

  • Shooting Stars 2-1 Niger Tornadoes
  • Abia Warriors 1-0 Warri Wolves
  • Wikki Tourists 0-0 Kun Khalifat
  • Rangers 2-1 Ikorodu City
  • Remo Stars 2-3 Bendel Insurance
  • Kwara United 2-0 Bayelsa United
  • El-Kanemi Warriors 3-2 Enyimba
  • Kano Pillars 2-1 Plateau United

A thrilling round as the first stanza concludes, setting up an intriguing second half of the season.