2023/2024 NPFL season summary: Who goes!!!

The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season ended on Sunday, June 23, 2024 with matchday 38 games decided across ten venues.

SportsRation presents a summary of the 2023/24 NPFLC season, highlighting ‘Who goes’ where, how and why via the final standings.

Enugu Rangers were crowned as league champions, securing their spot in the CAF Champions League alongside Remo Stars, who finished in second place. Enyimba, securing third place, will represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Meanwhile, the bottom four teams, Sporting Lagos, Doma United, Heartland, and Gombe United, have been relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Final League Table Overview:

Enugu Rangers – Champions with 70 points, boasting a record of 21 wins, 7 draws, and 10 losses. They had the best goal difference in the league at +23, scoring 56 goals and conceding 33.

Remo Stars – Secured the second CAF Champions League spot with 65 points from 20 wins, 5 draws, and 13 losses. They had a goal difference of +14, scoring 53 and conceding 39.

Enyimba – Finished third with 63 points, earning a place in the CAF Confederation Cup. Their season included 19 wins, 6 draws, and 13 losses, with a goal difference of +13 (46 goals scored, 33 conceded).

Shooting Stars – Ended the season with 62 points, narrowly missing out on continental competition. They had 18 wins, 8 draws, and 12 losses, with a goal difference of +14 (48 goals scored, 34 conceded).

Plateau United – Finished fifth with 58 points, with 18 wins, 4 draws, and 16 losses, scoring 53 goals and conceding 40 (+13 goal difference).

READ MORE: Akwa, Bayelsa United survive, Sporting Lagos, Doma United relegated on the last-day

Mid-Table Performers:

• Lobi Stars (6th) and Katsina United (7th) both accumulated 58 and 55 points respectively, showing consistent performances but falling short of the top three spots.
• Rivers United (8th) and Bendel Insurance (9th) each had fluctuating seasons with 53 points, demonstrating resilience but not enough to challenge for continental spots.

Notable Mid-Table Teams:

• Sunshine Stars (10th) finished the NPFL seasonstrong with 52 points, highlighted by a positive run in their last few matches.
• Kano Pillars (11th) and Abia Warriors (12th) also finished with 52 points each, with goal differences of -1 and -3 respectively.
• Kwara United (13th) and Niger Tornadoes (14th) each ended with 51 points, showcasing balanced performances throughout the season.
• Bayelsa United (15th) and Akwa United (16th) finished just above the relegation zone with 50 and 49 points respectively, ensuring their top-flight status for another season.

Relegated Teams:

• Sporting Lagos (17th) – Relegated with 46 points from 12 wins, 10 draws, and 16 losses, scoring 39 goals but conceding 44.
• Doma United (18th) – Relegated with 44 points, their season included 11 wins, 11 draws, and 16 losses, with a goal difference of -16 (26 goals scored, 42 conceded).
• Heartland (19th) – Relegated with 38 points, marked by 9 wins, 11 draws, and 18 losses, conceding 50 goals while scoring 36.
• Gombe United (20th) – Finished last on the NPFL log with 25 points, enduring a tough season with 8 wins, 7 draws, and 23 losses, having the worst goal difference in the league at -57 (21 goals scored, 78 conceded).

The season was filled with exciting matches, dramatic finishes, and standout performances, culminating in a deserving championship win for Enugu Rangers and notable achievements for the top teams securing continental football for next season.