NPFL PRODUCES GOALS, DRAMA ON MATCHDAY 4
By: Gyang Dakwo, Victor Hashim and Muhammad Nasir Idris
The 2026/27 EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) produced a lively Matchday 4 weekend, with goals flowing across the country as Plateau United, Rangers International and Kano Pillars recorded impressive victories.
Plateau United gave their home supporters plenty to celebrate in Jos on Sunday after recovering from a first-half setback to defeat Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) 3 – 1. Abubakar Taheer had given the visitors the lead before the break, but Ibrahimi restored parity for the hosts after the restart.
Jackson Seiyefa completed the turnaround in the 71st minute before Gideon Monday added a third late in the game. Shooting Stars’ task became even harder after the visitors were reduced to 10 men following a red card in the 84th minute.
Defending champions Rangers International also made one of the strongest statements of the weekend, producing a 4 – 2 away victory over Kun Khalifat FC in an entertaining encounter.
Folarin opened the scoring for Rangers in the 28th minute and Waheed Adebayo extended the lead on the stroke of half-time. Kun Khalifat responded after the interval, but Rangers regained control towards the closing stages through Chimobi, who scored in the 87th minute before completing his brace in the fourth minute of added time.
Kano Pillars were equally ruthless at the Sani Abacha Stadium, where they overwhelmed Doma United 4 – 1. Abdullahi Musa put the hosts ahead in the 19th minute and Rabiu Ali added another 13 minutes later.
Doma United reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute and briefly raised hopes of a comeback, but Ahmed Musa restored Pillars’ two-goal cushion in the 77th minute. Nasiru Salihu completed the scoring in the 90th minute.
Abia Warriors secured one of the weekend’s notable away results by beating Sporting Lagos 2 – 0. The visitors waited until the 83rd minute to break the deadlock before Chukwumeka Obioma produced a fine finish in the 90th minute to seal the victory.
Nasarawa United had to fight back at Lafia to secure a point against Rivers United in a 1 – 1 draw. Rivers United went ahead in the 68th minute through an own goal by Harrison Ebah, but Nasarawa United were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute, which Musa Yakubu converted to level the match.
Saturday’s fixtures had also provided their share of drama. Ikorodu City and Barau FC played out a goalless draw in Lagos, with both sides taking a point from an entertaining contest.
Ranchers Bees, meanwhile, recovered from conceding an equaliser to beat Bendel Insurance 2 – 1. Jude Okorie headed the home side in front in the 52nd minute from Samson Marvelous’ cross, but Lekan Gabriel restored parity for the Benin Arsenals in the 65th minute.
Zilkifilu Mohammed had the final say when he struck a powerful effort in the 80th minute to give Ranchers Bees all three points.
Katsina United also secured a narrow home victory, defeating Niger Tornadoes 1 – 0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. Abdulrahman Garba’s first half goal proved enough to settle the contest.
Warri Wolves brought the weekend’s fixtures to a close in Ozoro with a 1 – 0 victory over Kwara United, earning their first win of the season after a closely fought encounter.
With goals, comebacks, away victories and late drama spread across Matchday 4, the latest round of fixtures underlined the competitive nature of the new NPFL season, with several clubs already showing the capacity to make their presence felt as the campaign gathers pace.
