Lobi Stars’ 27-year run in the Nigeria Premier Football League came to a heartbreaking conclusion on Saturday evening after a 2–0 defeat to Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Without a permanent home ground and rooted to the bottom of the table heading into matchday 33, Lobi desperately needed a positive result. However, goals from Ahmed Musa and Naziru Auwalu Ibrahim sealed their fate, confirming relegation with five games still left to play.
The visitors held their own in the first half but conceded just ten minutes after the restart, when veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali set up Musa to fire home the opener. As Lobi pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Pillars were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, which Naziru calmly converted to secure the win and end Lobi’s long-standing tenure in the top division.
The result extended Lobi Stars’ winless streak to 17 matches.
They have not won a single league game in 2025, with their last victory coming on December 14, 2024, against Plateau United. Since then, they’ve suffered 11 losses and drawn six times.
This season has been particularly grim for the Makurdi-based side, who currently hold the worst statistical record in the league: the fewest wins (5), the fewest goals scored (23), the most losses (18), and the lowest points tally (25).
It marks a dramatic fall from grace for a club that once made history by winning the league in their debut season (1998–99) and has flown Nigeria’s flag in continental competitions, including three CAF Confederation Cup appearances (2003, 2005, 2012) and a group stage berth in the 2018 CAF Champions League — a feat unmatched by any Nigerian club since.
A LOOK AT THE NPFL DROP
As Lobi Stars drop out of the top flight, the fight to avoid joining them in relegation intensified over the weekend.
Heartland, currently 17th, pulled off arguably the biggest shock with a 2–0 away win over defending champions Rangers International. First-half goal from Suraju Lawal and a second from Isaac Nassy secured three vital points, lifting Heartland to 41 points and temporarily out of the relegation zone.
Katsina United, also on 41 points, earned a crucial goalless draw away at league leaders Remo Stars in Ikenne. Coming off a 6–0 drubbing in midweek and plagued by poor away form, the result was a much-needed morale boost, though they remain behind Heartland on goal difference.
In Uyo, 18th-placed Akwa United were held to a 1–1 draw by El-Kanemi Warriors, who sit just above them in 15th. Kabir Osoba had put Akwa in front in the first half, but a second-half own goal by Wisdom Ndon denied them a win and kept their survival hopes in jeopardy with 38 points.
Sunshine Stars, in 19th, kept their chances alive with a 2–1 home victory over Enyimba. Early goals from Elmer Arunta and Waheed Adebayo (after Christian Nnaji equalized) handed them all three points. Sunshine now sit level with Akwa on 38 points but trail on goal difference.
With just five matches remaining, the relegation battle is tighter than ever.
Only four points separate 10th-placed Bayelsa United (45 points) from Katsina United in 17th, setting the stage for a dramatic end to the season.
