Nigeria Premier Football League 2026-27 Matchday Four delivered impressive away victories yesterday, with Rangers International, Abia Warriors and Kano Pillars producing the standout performances, while Enyimba’s nightmarish start to the season continued in Aba.
In the Oriental derby at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, defending champions Rangers International underlined their title credentials with an emphatic 4-2 victory over Kun Khalifat.
Temitope Folarin and Waheed Adebayo put Rangers in control before Chimobi Igwilo struck twice, while Preye Seikorowei and Ayuba Umar replied for Kun Khalifat.
The victory lifted Rangers to fifth with seven points from three games, while Kun Khalifat remain 19th with two points from four matches.
Perhaps the biggest statement came at the Sani Abacha Stadium, where Kano Pillars demolished previously perfect Doma United 4-1. Abdullahi Musa and veteran captain Rabiu Ali put Pillars two goals up before Sadiq Rilwan reduced the deficit. Ahmed Musa and Nasiru Salihu then completed the rout. It was Doma’s first defeat after opening the campaign with three successive victories without conceding.
Despite the setback, Doma remain top with nine points from four games, while Pillars surged to third with seven points from three matches.
Plateau United also produced a stirring comeback in Jos, beating Shooting Stars 3-1. Taheer Abubakar gave 3SC a 15th-minute lead, but Jibrin Ibrahim equalised five minutes after the restart before Seiyefa Jackson and Gideon Monday completed the turnaround. Plateau climbed to sixth with seven points, while Shooting Stars are 15th with three points from two matches.
Abia Warriors left it late to stun Sporting Lagos 2-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Ikoi Etta struck in the 88th minute before Emeka Obioma sealed the victory in the 90th. The result pushed Abia Warriors to 10th with five points, while Sporting Lagos sit joint-15th on three points.
Enyimba’s troubled start, meanwhile, took another damaging turn as newcomers Inter Lagos claimed a famous 1-0 win in Aba. Ezekiel Moses’ 18th-minute header secured Inter’s first points of their maiden NPFL campaign and moved them to 18th with three points. Enyimba are rooted to 20th without a point from three matches, making them the league’s only pointless side.
Warri Wolves earned their first victory of the season with a 1-0 win over Kwara United, Ejike Ezekiel striking after only eight minutes. Wolves are 17th with three points, while Kwara United occupy 11th with four.
In Lafia, Rivers United remained unbeaten after a 1-1 draw with Nasarawa United. Harrison Ebah’s 66th -minute own goal handed Rivers the lead before Musa Yakubu converted an 84th-minute penalty for the hosts. Rivers sit fourth with seven points from three games, while Nasarawa are 13th with four points.
Saturday’s three fixtures had earlier seen Barau FC maintain their unbeaten start with a goalless draw against Ikorodu City in Lagos. Barau remain second with eight points, while Ikorodu City are ninth with five.
Ranchers Bees defeated Bendel Insurance 2-1, with Chiedozie Jude Okorie opening the scoring before Lekan Gabriel equalised and Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu struck the winner. Zulkifilu’s prolific start has now produced five goals in three appearances. Ranchers Bees are seventh with six points, one place above eighth-placed Bendel Insurance, also on six.
Katsina United also edged Niger Tornadoes 1-0 through Abdulrahman Garba’s 21st -minute goal. Katsina are 14th with four points from three games, while Tornadoes are 12th with four from four.
NPFL MATCHDAY FOUR RESULTS:
Ikorodu City 0-0 Barau FC
Ranchers Bees 2-1 Insurance
Katsina United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kun Khalifat 2-4 Rangers
Kano Pillars 4-1 Doma United
Plateau United 3-1 Shooting Stars
Sporting Lagos 0-2 Abia Warriors
Enyimba 0-1 Inter Lagos
Warri Wolves 1-0 Kwara United
Nasarawa United 1-1 Rivers United