Remo Stars have crowned themselves champions of the Ikenne Centre in the 2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Youth League, with their forward, Daniel Arierhi, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. Arierhi netted four goals in five matches, leading his side to near perfection, winning every game except a goalless draw with runners-up Ikorodu City on Matchday 3.

The Sky Blue Stars’ dominance was reflected in the numbers. They racked up 13 points with a remarkable +13 goal difference, while Ikorodu City followed on 10 points and a +5 return. Both teams have now sealed their places in the national finals, where they will square off against the top two from the Kano and Umuahia centres.

Across the Ikenne games, a total of 39 goals were scored in 15 matches, three from the penalty spot and one an own goal. Arierhi’s four-goal haul was closely followed by Isah Ibrahim (Ikorodu City) and Akinocchio Mervielle (Remo Stars), who each bagged three.

The battle for the Kano slots kicked off on Monday with El-Kanemi Warriors staging a comeback to beat Nasarawa United 2-1. Naszifi Yunusa gave Nasarawa an early lead in the 11th minute, but Bukar Yerima struck in the 44th before Abdullahi Sanib completed the turnaround in the 62nd minute.

In the second fixture, Niger Tornadoes and Plateau United played out a 1-1 stalemate. Monday Pindan put Plateau ahead in the 45th minute, but Isah A. Kasim hit back almost immediately in the 46th.

It was a five-goal thriller in the day’s opener as Akwa United edged Abia Warriors 3-2. Imoh Asuquo opened the scoring for Akwa in the 10th minute, only for Chijindu Godwin to level in the 35th. Four minutes after the restart, Chidom Obioma restored Akwa’s advantage, but David Ukpai Uchenna pulled Abia level again in the 58th. The decisive blow came in the 83rd minute, when Dike Izuna sealed the win for Akwa United.

The second game saw Bayelsa United and Heartland share the spoils in a 2-2 draw, keeping the race for the Umuahia Centre’s two spots wide open.