Remo Stars and Enyimba have earned spots to represent Nigeria in continental competitions after securing crucial victories in their final games of the Nigeria Professional Football League season. Remo Stars defeated visiting Katsina United 2-1 finishing the season as runners-up with 65 points, five points behind champions Enugu Rangers. Both Remo-Stars and Rangers will compete in the CAF Champions League.
Similarly, dethroned former champions Enyimba clinched a 2-0 home victory against Plateau United, ending the season in third place with 63 points. Enyimba will participate in the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup. In contrast, Sporting Lagos and Doma United joined Gombe United and Heartland in relegation from the NPFL. Sporting Lagos suffered a 1-0 defeat at Shooting Stars, finishing 17th with 46 points.
Doma United secured a 1-1 draw with Abia Warriors but still ended 18th with 44 points. Akwa United and Bayelsa United retained their top-flight status with final-day wins. Akwa United defeated Rivers United 3-1, while Bayelsa United won 2-0 against Bendel Insurance. Gombe United finished bottom with 25 points, and Heartland were second from bottom with 38 points. Four teams promoted from the second-tier NNL to the NPFL are Beyond Limits, Nasarawa United, Ikorodu City, and El Kanemi Warriors.
Enugu Rangers were crowned NPFL champions in style after defeating Gombe United 2-1, finishing the season with 70 points. Kazeem Ogunleye and Godwin Obaje scored early goals to secure the victory. Meanwhile, Enyimba striker Chijioke Mbaoma won the Eunisell Boot as the top scorer in the NPFL for the 2023/24 season, succeeding his teammate Emeka Obioma.
Mbaoma netted his 17th goal of the season in the final game against Plateau United, breaking the deadlock in the 78th minute. He will receive a special award and prize money for finishing as the league’s top scorer. Sikiru Alimi of Remo Stars was the second top scorer with 15 goals.