NPFL: Barau stay top as Ikorodu City end Rangers’ unbeaten run
Matchday six saw Barau keep top spot, champions Rangers fall 2-0 in Lagos and nine-time winners Enyimba finally get off the mark.
By John Christian Mmaduabuchi, Chief Editor
· · 2 min read
- Barau drew 1-1 at Sporting Lagos and lead on 12 points from six games
- Ikorodu City beat champions Rangers 2-0 for a first league win over them
- Enyimba held Kano Pillars 0-0 for their first point after four straight defeats
The gist in 30 seconds
- Barau drew 1-1 at Sporting Lagos and lead on 12 points from six games
- Ikorodu City beat champions Rangers 2-0 for a first league win over them
- Enyimba held Kano Pillars 0-0 for their first point after four straight defeats
Barau FC are still the team to catch in the Nigeria Premier Football League. The Kano club drew 1-1 with Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday, 26 September, to stay top of the table on 12 points from six games, unbeaten after three wins and three draws.
Barau led through a first-half Joseph Atule penalty, but Sodiq Ayoade pounced after a goalmouth scramble to level for the hosts in the second half.
Champions stumble in Lagos
The biggest upset came a day later at the same venue. Ikorodu City beat defending champions Rangers International 2-0, with Aderemi Adeoye scoring early and Ikechukwu Junior adding a second after the break. The league’s official website described it as Ikorodu City’s first-ever league win over the Flying Antelopes, and it ended Rangers’ unbeaten start.
There was relief for Enyimba, too. The nine-time champions drew 0-0 with Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium to collect their first point of the season after four straight defeats, with their goalkeeper making several important saves.
Plateau United climbed to second on 11 points after beating Inter Lagos 2-0 through Gideon Monday and Jibrin Ibrahim, while Abia Warriors produced the most emphatic result of the round, a 3-0 win over Bendel Insurance in Aba in which Emeka Obioma scored twice and Ikoi Etta once.
Elsewhere, Kun Khalifat beat Kwara United 1-0, Warri Wolves edged Shooting Stars 1-0 through Othuke Egbo’s early goal, Nasarawa United beat Niger Tornadoes 1-0 and Katsina United beat Doma United 2-1.
What next: Rivers United, on 10 points from four games, visit Ranchers Bees in Kano on Monday, 28 September, to close the round, and a win would take them top. On Wednesday, 30 September, Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City meet in a rescheduled Lagos derby at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Sources
We checked this story against these sources. How we check
- Complete Sports: EUROMATCH NPFL: Barau FC Extend Unbeaten Run After 1-1 Draw at Sporting Lagos
- Voice of Nigeria: NPFL: Barau FC Retain Top Spot After Sporting Lagos Draw
- Sports247 Nigeria: EuroMatch NPFL: Enyimba Survive Kano Treats As Abia Warriors, Plateau United Shine On Matchday 6
- Complete Sports: Euromatch NPFL: Enyimba End Winless Run, Ikorodu City Down Rangers
- Nigeria Premier Football League (official): Enyimba earn first point, as Abia Warriors, Ikorodu City, Wolves secure wins
- Nigeria Premier Football League (official): Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 6
- Africa Top Sports: Euromatch NPFL Matchday 6: Wolves, Abia Warriors, Plateau United Record Big Wins as Enyimba Hold Kano Pillars
- Daily Trust: NPFL quartet aim to extend unbeaten run in Week 6
- Bold Sports: Sporting Lagos vs Ikorodu City NPFL derby rescheduled to September 30
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John Christian Mmaduabuchi is a Nigerian filmmaker, creative director, and media professional with extensive experience in digital storytelling, visual journalism, and contemporary media. His Journalism interests span Nigerian and African current affairs, entertainment, culture, technology, lifestyle, media, and the people shaping public conversation. With a background in film direction and documentary production, he brings a strong visual and narrative perspective to editorial work, with particular attention to context, clarity, and compelling storytelling. John is also a creative entrepreneur focused on storytelling, entertainment, culture, and digital content. His professional experience across directing, cinematography, editing, media strategy, and emerging AI technologies gives him a broad understanding of how stories are created, distributed, and consumed in the digital age. At GistMatrix, John contributes to the development and presentation of timely, engaging, and relevant stories for a contemporary audience. His approach to editorial work is grounded in accuracy, context, responsible storytelling, and a commitment to covering stories that matter.
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