Rangers International opened a three-point advantage at the summit of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League after defeating Kwara United 1-0 at Awka Township Stadium yesterday.
Victor Chimezie delivered the decisive strike in the 40th minute as Rangers reached 24 points after 11 fixtures. The Flying Antelopes have recorded seven victories, three draws and one defeat, scoring 17 times while allowing 10 goals.
In Benin, second-placed Bendel Insurance overturned an early deficit to edge Niger Tornadoes 2-1. Aliyu Mohammed converted a 36th-minute penalty to put the visitors in front, before Jonathan Mairiga levelled deep into first-half stoppage time in the 45+8th minute. Ex-Heartland forward Suraju Lawal then struck late to secure the win and take Bendel Insurance to 21 points.
Nasarawa United climbed to third on 20 points after recovering for a 3-1 victory against Plateau United in the North Central derby in Lafia. Nenrot Silas gave Plateau the advantage after 11 minutes, but Alao Danbani scored twice, in the 63rd and 67th minutes, before Jofrank Istifanus wrapped up the result in the 87th minute.
Barau FC rose into fourth place by beating Shooting Stars 1-0 in Kano, with Olakunle Akala’s ninth-minute own goal proving decisive. Barau are tied on 19 points with fifth-positioned Kano Pillars, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Kun Khalifat in Owerri.
Near the bottom of the standings, Ranchers Bees overcame Enyimba 1-0 in Minna thanks to Chiedozie Jude Okorie’s goal in the 42nd minute. The result lifted Ranchers to 16th place with 12 points, while Enyimba remain 17th on 11.
Abia Warriors shared the points with Doma United following a 2-2 draw in Aba. Tijani Azeez opened the scoring for Doma in the fifth minute and Samuel Akpan added another in the 69th, while Emeka Obioma struck in the 37th and 79th minutes for the home side to bring his league total to eight goals this season.
Warri Wolves and Katsina United also finished level at 1-1 in Ozoro, where substitute Sebastine Uche scored the Seasiders’ equaliser in the 72nd minute.
