NPFL: Ikorodu City take early lead after opening-day win
August 31, 2026 2:29 am
Ikorodu City made the perfect start to their 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign, climbing to the top of the table after a 3-1 victory over newly promoted Ranchers Bees on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Oga Boys fell behind as early as the seventh minute when Ranchers Bees opened the scoring, but the Lagos side responded in the 30th minute through Umar Dan’Azumi.
Ikorodu City completed the turnaround on the stroke of half-time when Abayomi Ayodeji put the hosts ahead.
The Oga Boys then sealed the victory three minutes before full-time, with Farouk Salami converting from the penalty spot in the 87th minute to complete a 3-1 win.
Elsewhere, Rivers United began their campaign with a statement 2-0 victory over Plateau United in Port Harcourt.
Abdulrasheed Dabai put the hosts ahead in the sixth minute before Wasiu Falolu doubled their advantage in the 38th minute as last season’s runners-up comfortably saw out the victory.
In Ilorin, Kwara United fought back from two goals down to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw against Kano Pillars.
Shola Abdulraheem gave Pillars the lead in the 12th minute before Rabiu Ali doubled their advantage in the 29th minute.
Kwara United responded after the break, with Alex Jerry pulling one back in the 47th minute before completing the comeback with a stoppage-time equaliser in the seventh minute of added time.
Bendel Insurance also came from behind to beat Warri Wolves 2-1.
Eventus Itolowo put Wolves ahead in the fifth minute before Kayode Oke equalised for Insurance from the penalty spot in the 20th minute.
Alex Oweilayefa then completed the comeback two minutes into the second half as the Benin side secured all three points.
In Minna, Niger Tornadoes defeated a new-look Enyimba 2-1.
Aliyu Goyi gave Tornadoes the lead in the 40th minute, but Wonah Williams restored parity for Enyimba in the 71st minute. However, Michael Olalusi struck in the 83rd minute to hand the hosts victory.
Barau FC also made a winning start, defeating Nasarawa United 3-1.
Joseph Atule opened the scoring for Barau in the 15th minute, starting his bid to reach his personal target of 20 goals this season.
Nasarawa United responded five minutes later through Abubakar Abdullahi, but Barau regained the lead through Al’Amin Umar in the 78th minute before Sugau Aliyu added a third four minutes later.
Reigning champions Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Katsina United at their adopted home ground in Abeokuta.
Luis Dadong put Katsina United ahead in the 38th minute before Rangers rescued a point through Chibueze Oputa in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Rangers were aided by a goalkeeping error as Katsina United’s goalkeeper parried Oputa’s effort into his own net.
In Gombe, Doma United marked their return to the NPFL with a 2-0 victory over Sporting Lagos, who also returned to the topflight.
Sadiq Rilwan gave Doma United an eighth-minute lead before Daniel Simon doubled the advantage in the 75th minute to seal victory for the hosts.
Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years
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