2025/2026 NPFL Matchday 25 Preview: Relegation Battle as Kano Pillars Host Remo Stars

Posted : 08 February 2026

An unusual relegation dogfight will take centre stage on Sunday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, as two Nigeria Premier Football League heavyweights, Kano Pillars and Remo Stars, clash in a crucial Matchday 25 encounter of the 2025/2026 NPFL season.

For clubs with rich histories and recent glory, this fixture is less about prestige and more about survival.

Kano Pillars, four-time NPFL champions, and Remo Stars, the reigning league champions, find themselves in unfamiliar and troubling territory at the bottom of the table — a scenario few would have predicted at the start of the season.

Remo Stars’ Dramatic Fall

Before lifting the league title in the 2024/2025 campaign, Remo Stars consistently finished among the top three for three consecutive seasons. Their dominance, particularly on the road last season, was a defining factor in their title triumph.

However, the story has dramatically changed this term. The Daniel Ogunmodede-led side has struggled to reproduce the form that crowned them champions.

While some have blamed their temporary relocation to Abeokuta for home games, last season’s statistics dismiss that excuse, as the Sky Blue Stars were formidable away from home. Their current struggles, therefore, point to deeper issues.

Remo Stars sit 18th on the log with 26 points from 26 matches, managing eight wins, two draws, and 14 defeats — an average of just one point per game.

Kano Pillars’ Underwhelming Campaign

For Kano Pillars, expectations were high heading into the season following significant pre-season investment by the Kano State Government. The appointment of former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa as General Manager further raised hopes of a revival.

Yet, performances on the pitch have failed to match the ambition off it. Sai Masu Gida currently occupy 19th position with 25 points from 26 matches, recording eight wins, four draws, and 12 losses — numbers far from the standards associated with the club’s illustrious past.

A Battle for Pride and Points

Sunday’s encounter is more than just another league game. It is a desperate fight for pride, points, and top-flight survival between two clubs accustomed to battling for titles, not safety.

With only a point separating the sides, the stakes could not be higher at the 16,000-capacity Sani Abacha Stadium.

For Kano Pillars and Remo Stars, this is no longer about reputation — it is about staying in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

2025/2026 NPFL Matchday 25 Preview: Relegation Battle as Kano Pillars Host Remo Stars

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