Barau FC and Ikorodu City made strong statements on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season. Both clubs secured 3-1 victories on Sunday, Bold Sports reports.
- Barau FC Make Early Statement
- Ikorodu City Begin With Three Points
- Rangers Escape Defeat Against Katsina United
- Niger Tornadoes Shock Enyimba
- Insurance Turn Deficit Into Victory
- Rivers United Made a Bright Start
- Doma United Secured an Impressive Victory
- Kwara United Produce Late Comeback
- Rain Stops Abia Warriors Clash
- Results From Matchday One
Barau FC defeated Nasarawa United 3-1 in Kano. Ikorodu City also claimed a 3-1 win over Ranchers Bees in Lagos. Both sides therefore began the campaign with maximum points.
The opening round also brought setbacks for two of the NPFL’s biggest clubs. Defending champions Rangers needed a stoppage-time goal to draw with Katsina United. Enyimba, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 defeat against Niger Tornadoes.
Barau FC Make Early Statement
Barau FC produced one of Matchday One’s most impressive results. They defeated Nasarawa United 3-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
More Read
Joseph Atule gave Barau the lead in the 15th minute. Nasarawa United responded just five minutes later.
Abubakar Abdullahi restored parity for the visitors. The game remained level until the final stages.
Al’Amin Umar put Barau back in front in the 78th minute. Sugau Aliyu then added another goal four minutes later.
The victory gives Barau an ideal start to the new NPFL campaign.
Ikorodu City Begin With Three Points
Ikorodu City also enjoyed a winning start in Lagos. The Lagos-based club defeated Ranchers Bees 3-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
The result gives Ikorodu City three points from their opening fixture. It also provides an early boost as they look to establish themselves among the league’s competitive sides.
Their victory was one of several strong results recorded by the opening weekend’s winners.
Rangers Escape Defeat Against Katsina United
Rangers were seconds away from suffering a difficult start to their title defence. Katsina United took the lead at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
Luis Dadong put the visitors ahead in the 38th minute. Rangers then spent much of the second half searching for a response.
The defending champions finally found it in dramatic fashion. Chibueze Oputa scored in the seventh minute of added time.
His late effort rescued a 1-1 draw for Rangers. The champions will now turn their attention to Matchday Two.
Niger Tornadoes Shock Enyimba
Enyimba could not produce a winning start in Kaduna. Niger Tornadoes defeated the Aba club 2-1 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
Aliyu Goyi opened the scoring for Tornadoes in the 40th minute. Enyimba improved after the interval and eventually found an equaliser.
Wonah Williams made it 1-1 in the 71st minute. However, Niger Tornadoes responded before Enyimba could complete the comeback.
Michael Olalusi restored Tornadoes’ lead in the 83rd minute. The goal secured three points for the home side.
Insurance Turn Deficit Into Victory
Bendel Insurance also opened the campaign with a comeback win. Warri Wolves struck first at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Eventus Itolowo gave Wolves the advantage early in the match. Insurance responded through Kayode Oke.
The Insurance forward converted a penalty to make it 1-1. Alex Oweilayefa then completed the comeback for the Benin-based side.
Insurance secured a 2-1 victory and three points from their first game.
Rivers United Made a Bright Start
Rivers United began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Plateau United. The match took place at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Abdulrasheed Dabai opened the scoring for the hosts. Wasiu Falolu later doubled their advantage.
Doma United Secured an Impressive Victory
Doma United also secured a 2-0 home victory. They defeated Sporting Lagos at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
Sadiq Rilwan put Doma United ahead. Daniel Simon then added the second goal after the break.
Kwara United Produce Late Comeback
Kano Pillars appeared set to leave Ilorin with three points. They built a two-goal advantage against Kwara United.
Shola Abdulraheem and Rabiu Ali scored for the visitors. Kwara United, however, mounted a late fightback.
Alex Jerry scored twice to level the contest. His second goal arrived in the seventh minute of added time.
The dramatic finish earned Kwara United a 2-2 draw.
Rain Stops Abia Warriors Clash
The meeting between Abia Warriors and Kun Khalifat did not reach full time. Heavy rainfall made the pitch at the Umuahia Township Stadium unplayable.
Officials abandoned the match in the 73rd minute. The score remained 0-0 at the time.
The remaining 17 minutes will be completed on Monday morning.
Results From Matchday One
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Inter Lagos
- Kwara United 2-2 Kano Pillars
- Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Enyimba
- Barau FC 3-1 Nasarawa United
- Abia Warriors 0-0 Kun Khalifat
- Doma United 2-0 Sporting Lagos
- Bendel Insurance 2-1 Warri Wolves
- Ikorodu City 3-1 Ranchers Bees
- Rangers 1-1 Katsina United
- Rivers United 2-0 Plateau United
Shooting Stars opened the season with a 2-1 victory over Inter Lagos on Friday. The Abia Warriors-Kun Khalifat game was abandoned in the 73rd minute, with 17 minutes remaining.
The first round has already produced late drama and unexpected results. Rangers and Enyimba now face an early test in Matchday Two.
Barau FC, Ikorodu City, Rivers United and the other winners will aim to build on their positive starts.
© Bold Sports Media. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
