The first matches of 2026 in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) produced interesting outcomes including Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) putting three past nine-time champions Enyimba on Wednesday.
In the reverse fixture just a little over two weeks ago, Enyimba fired three past 3SC with Chinedu Ufere, Edidiong Ezekiel and Chidera Michael accounting for the goals.
It was a different performance from the Oluyole Warriors as they beat Enyimba 3-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Lucky Emmanuel (17’), Sodiq Ibrahim (81’) and Qamar Adegoke (89’) got the goals that ensured 3SC moved up into fourth place.
In top spot and sitting six points clear of 3SC are Rivers United. Finidi George’s side made sure to maintain their four-point cushion at the top of the standings by grinding out a 0-0 draw at Rangers International.
Rivers United now have 38 points, four more than second-placed Abia Warriors who slipped at home after a 1-1 draw against Plateau United.
Returning to the dugout for the first since July 2025, Gbenga Ogunbote watched from the sidelines as Saka Gafar handed his Plateau United team the lead after eight minutes of action at the Umuahia Township Stadium before Emeka Obioma restored parity to help the Warriors secure a point.
Ikorodu City failed to gain ground on the top-two after suffering a 1-0 defeat at Remo Stars in the Southwest Derby.
Haruna Hadi scored the winning goal for the champions on 47 minutes.
In the early kickoff, Daddy Abdulrahman’s goal was enough for El-Kanemi Warriors to defeat Bayelsa United.
Uche Moses and Muhammad Umar got among the goals to help Barau FC to a 2-1 win over Niger Tornadoes at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Clinton Jephta scored for Niger Tornadoes on 65 minutes.
Bendel Insurance, Kano Pillars and Warri Wolves won on the road by identical 1-0 scorelines at Kwara United, Nasarawa United and Wikki Tourists respectively.
Emmanuel Akpan scored for Bendel Insurance while Chiedozie Okorie and Ezekiel Oroh accounted for the goals of Kano Pillars and Warri Wolves respectively.
Matchday 20 in the NPFL will be rounded off on Thursday when Katsina United play hosts to Kun Khalifat FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium.