Barau FC take their unbeaten start to Lagos on Saturday as Matchday Six opens with a trip to Sporting Lagos. The other nine fixtures follow on Sunday, headlined by Kano Pillars against Enyimba, Ikorodu City against Rangers International, and the North Central derby in Lafia.
Barau lead the table with 11 points from five games and have conceded only twice, though both away matches finished goalless. Sporting Lagos have won on the road – including Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over Enyimba in Aba – but lost their only home game 2-0 to Abia Warriors. One of those records breaks at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
In Kano, unbeaten Pillars host an Enyimba side still searching for its first point. Pillars have scored ten goals in four games – Rabiu Ali, Fabian Nworie and Ubong Friday with two apiece – and were held 1-1 by Inter Lagos on Wednesday after netting seven in two home wins. Enyimba’s defeat to Sporting Lagos was a fourth straight loss.
Rangers return to Onikan, where a 2-1 win over Ikorodu City on the last day of last season – both goals from Chidiebere Nwobodo – sealed the title. The champions have ten points from four unbeaten games and beat Ranchers Bees 1-0 on Wednesday. Ikorodu, 12th on five points, are unbeaten at home this season but must answer a 2-1 defeat at Bendel Insurance.
Nasarawa United host Niger Tornadoes in Lafia with one point separating the sides. Tornadoes, 13th, were held 0-0 by Warri Wolves and have lost both away games; Nasarawa, 16th, lost 2-1 at Kwara United but hold a win over Bendel Insurance and a draw with Rivers United at home.
Ranchers Bees face second-placed Rivers United, unbeaten in two home games and led by top scorer Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu on five goals. Rivers arrive off a 5-0 win over Kun Khalifat, taking their tally to ten scored and one conceded in four games.
Fourth-placed Doma United visit Katsina United looking to tighten up after conceding six in their last two. Sadiq Ololade Rilwan, on four goals, remains their main threat against a Katsina side that has scored only twice all season.
Abia Warriors host Bendel Insurance – hosts still seeking a home win against visitors who have taken all nine of their points in Benin City, led by Alex Oweilayefa and Chinedu Nwosu on three goals each.
Kun Khalifat, still winless and with a league-high 13 conceded, face Kwara United, who beat Nasarawa 2-1 and are chasing a first away win.
Warri Wolves, with only two goals scored in four games, host a Shooting Stars side unbeaten in two, fresh off a 2-0 win over Katsina.
Plateau United, unbeaten in four since an opening defeat, close the programme against 17th-placed Inter Lagos.