NPFL Preview: Rivers United, Ikorodu City Face Tough Road Tests, Remo Stars Begin Abdallah Era

Ikorodu City will be aiming to reclaim the top spot in the league when they travel to face Bendel Insurance in their matchday 28 fixture.

The Oga Boys were recently displaced by Rivers United after the Port Harcourt side secured a narrow win against Barau FC in one of their outstanding games.

Insurance, however, could prove tricky opponents as they look to solidify their place in the top six. When both sides met in the first half of the league in December 2025, Ikorodu City won 1-0, and Bendel Insurance will now be seeking revenge in front of their home fans.

Meanwhile, Rivers United face a crucial test in Yenagoa against Bayelsa United.

The relegation-threatened hosts showed resilience last weekend by holding Ikorodu City to a draw in Lagos, and a win here could lift them out of the drop zone while simultaneously denting Rivers United’s title ambitions.

Bayelsa defeated Rivers United 2-1 in Port Harcourt when they met in October last year and will be hoping to complete a double over the league leaders. The hosts have gone six games without a win, drawing five and losing just once, with their last victory coming in January.

Rivers United, however, have not lost away from home since December 2025, when they were beaten 4-1 by Barau of Kano.

Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes are desperate to end a poor run of form when they welcome Warri Wolves. The Minna-based side have gone five matches without a win, slipping to 12th place, and will be hoping to climb into the top half of the table with a victory.

Remo Stars begin a new chapter under coach Usman Abdallah as they host Katsina United. Sitting 19th and in danger of finishing as the worst defending champions in Nigerian topflight history, Remo Stars are just four points from safety, but defeat could further strengthen Katsina’s push for a top-four finish.

In Enugu, Rangers and Nasarawa United clash in a high-stakes battle of title contenders.

Both sides are level on points, separated only by goal difference, but Nasarawa’s struggles in front of goal since the departure of their talisman Anas Yusuf have tilted bookmakers’ confidence toward Fidelis Ilechukwu’s Flying Antelopes.

The result could prove pivotal in shaping the title race, as a win for either side could move them top of the table if both Rivers United and Ikorodu City falter on their road trips.

Shooting Stars, meanwhile, are shifting focus toward continental qualification after their title hopes slipped away. They host Kano Pillars in Ibadan following a heavy defeat in Jos, but Pillars’ resurgence, having climbed out of the relegation zone last weekend, means the Oluyole Warriors must be wary of a revitalized opponent.

Finally, Enyimba will be looking to end a four-match winless streak when they host Kun Khalifat in Aba.

The Oriental Derby pits the struggling Peoples Elephant against a newly promoted side fighting to escape relegation. Kun Khalifat have managed to grind out some positive results recently, and an upset in Aba could be enough to lift them out of the drop zone with ten matches left to play.