The NPFL Matchday 7 results delivered goals, comebacks and crucial victories as Bendel Insurance recorded the biggest win of the round, while Rangers bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Abia Warriors and Rivers United maintained their unbeaten start.
NPFL Matchday 7 results: Bendel Insurance hit Barau for four
Bendel Insurance returned to winning ways in style, thrashing Barau FC 4-1 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Abia Warriors in their previous outing.
Kayode Oke opened the scoring in the 33rd minute before doubling the Benin Gunners’ advantage in the 78th minute.
Barau FC pulled one back from the penalty spot through Aliyu Sugau in the 82nd minute, but Insurance quickly restored their two-goal cushion through Suraju Lawal four minutes later.
Jonathan James then completed the rout in stoppage time as the Benin Gunners secured their fourth victory of the season.
The result moves Bendel Insurance up to fifth place with 12 points, while Barau remain on the same tally in fourth position.
Rangers bounce back with Abia Warriors win
Defending champions Rangers returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 victory over Abia Warriors at the Awka Township Stadium.
Godwin Obaje opened the scoring in the 37th minute before Chidiebere Nwobodo doubled the Flying Antelopes’ advantage shortly after half-time.
Abia Warriors reduced the deficit through Emeka Obioma, who converted from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute.
Rangers, however, refused to surrender their advantage and sealed all three points when Akorode Daniel restored their two-goal lead in added time.
The victory strengthened Rangers’ position at the top end of the NPFL table, while the Umuahia Warriors suffered their third defeat of the campaign.
Rivers United maintain unbeaten NPFL start
Rivers United continued their impressive start to the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ikorodu City in Port Harcourt.
Samson Olasupo broke the deadlock after 19 minutes before Chinemerem Ugwueze doubled the Pride of Rivers’ advantage in first-half stoppage time.
The result means Finidi George’s side have now gone seven league games without defeat, recording four wins and three draws.
Rivers United remain second with 15 points, keeping the pressure on the defending champions at the top of the table.
For Ikorodu City, the defeat was their second of the campaign. The Oga Boys now have two wins, three draws and two defeats from seven matches.
Enyimba continue their resurgence
Nine-time champions Enyimba strengthened their recovery with a 2-0 home victory over Plateau United.
Ifeanyi Ihemekwele opened the scoring before Richard Ezinna added the second as the Aba giants secured back-to-back victories.
After beginning the campaign with four straight defeats and a draw, the Peoples’ Elephant have now picked up consecutive wins to move up to 15th place with seven points.
Plateau United, meanwhile, suffered their second defeat of the season and remain sixth with 11 points.
Doma United edge Warri Wolves
At the Pantami Stadium, Doma United defeated Warri Wolves 1-0, with Joshua Abah scoring the decisive goal in the 81st minute.
The victory ended Doma United’s run of two defeats and a draw, lifting them to third place with 13 points.
Warri Wolves, meanwhile, suffered their second consecutive defeat and dropped to 18th with seven points.
Inter Lagos, Katsina United share points
Inter Lagos and Katsina United played out a 1-1 draw at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan.
Nura Abdulbari put Katsina United ahead before Kevwe Iyede restored parity for the home side.
It was Inter Lagos’ second draw of the campaign, alongside one win and four defeats, leaving the new boys 19th with five points.
Katsina United, meanwhile, recorded their second consecutive draw and moved to 11th with nine points.
Kwara United complete comeback against Ranchers Bees
Kwara United came from behind to defeat Ranchers Bees 2-1 in Ilorin.
Jamilu Yusuf gave the visitors an early lead in the seventh minute, but Toheeb Gidado levelled the scores five minutes after the restart.
Stephen Gideon then completed the comeback with the winning goal in the 77th minute.
Ranchers Bees finished the game with 10 men after Sani Faisal received a straight red card.
The result gave the Harmony Boys their third victory of the season and moved them up to eighth with 10 points.
Ranchers Bees dropped to 16th with seven points after suffering their fourth defeat of the campaign and extending their winless run to three matches.
Shooting Stars held by Nasarawa United
Shooting Stars were held to a goalless draw by Nasarawa United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
The Ibandan Warriors have now failed to win in their last three matches after suffering two consecutive defeats before the stalemate.
The result leaves Shooting Stars 17th with seven points, while Nasarawa United remain 13th with eight points.
Niger Tornadoes finally end winless run
Niger Tornadoes secured their first victory of the season with a narrow 1-0 win over Kun Khalifat in Minna.
Ismaila Sarki scored the only goal of the contest in the 82nd minute to give the Minna side a much-needed three points.
The victory ended Tornadoes’ run of three defeats and two draws, lifting them to 12th with eight points.
For Kun Khalifat, the difficult start continues. The defeat was their fourth of the season and leaves them at the bottom of the table with five points.
Kano Pillars, Sporting Lagos start Matchday 7 with draw
Earlier on Saturday, Kano Pillars and Sporting Lagos played out a 1-1 draw in Kano.
Valentine Ugwu put the visitors ahead shortly before half-time before Ahmed Musa restored parity four minutes after the restart.
It was Pillars’ third consecutive draw, leaving them seventh with 10 points.
Sporting Lagos also recorded their third straight draw and remain 10th with nine points. (Blueprint Newspapers Limited)
Full NPFL Matchday 7 results
Bendel Insurance 4-1 Barau FC
Rangers 3-1 Abia Warriors
Enyimba 2-0 Plateau United
Rivers United 2-0 Ikorodu City
Doma United 1-0 Warri Wolves
Inter Lagos 1-1 Katsina United
Kwara United 2-1 Ranchers Bees
Shooting Stars 0-0 Nasarawa United
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Kun Khalifat
Kano Pillars 1-1 Sporting Lagos
With Matchday 7 now complete, Rangers remain among the early pace-setters, while Rivers United continue their unbeaten run and Enyimba are beginning to find their feet after a difficult start.
