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NPFL Weekend Round-Up: Giants Stumble as Underdogs Bite Across the Country
The Nigeria Premier Football League delivered yet another weekend of drama, heartbreak and jaw-dropping twists as giants stumbled, underdogs roared and goal nets trembled across the country.
In Umuahia, the Solid Miners of Nasarawa United dug deep and struck gold on enemy territory, stunning high-flying Abia Warriors inside the fortress of the “Umu Chineke Boys.” Fresh from climbing to second on the table, the hosts were riding a wave of confidence before Nasarawa reminded everyone of the grit that once kept them at the summit for weeks.
Obioma Chukwuemeka fired Abia Warriors ahead in the 42nd minute, sparking early celebrations among the home faithful. However, barely had the second half begun when Habibu Alakija silenced the crowd with a swift equaliser in the 47th minute. The decisive blow arrived eight minutes later as Jofrank Istifanus struck in the 55th minute to complete a stunning turnaround. Despite late pressure from Abia, Nasarawa stood firm to secure a priceless away victory.
In Minna, Enyimba’s frustrating inconsistency continued as the People’s Elephant fell to a ruthless Niger Tornadoes side. Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai broke the deadlock in the 66th minute after latching onto Ahmadu Liman’s pass, before super substitute Rickson Mendos delivered the knockout punch in the 88th minute to seal a vital home win.
Uncertainty off the pitch failed to slow Rangers International in Enugu as goals rained at the Cathedral. Godwin Obaje set the tone with two early strikes in the 1st and 11th minutes. Warri Wolves briefly threatened a response through Israel Oladeji in the 56th minute, but Chimobi Igwilo extinguished all hope with a brilliant brace in the 71st and 76th minutes. Seth Mayi’s stoppage-time penalty proved little more than consolation as Rangers cruised to a commanding victory.
Elsewhere, Qamar Adegoke’s 71st-minute thunderbolt handed Shooting Stars a crucial win over a resurgent Bendel Insurance. In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists compounded the woes of struggling Kano Pillars, who now appear trapped in relegation quicksand, with goals from Taheer Abubakar (43rd) and Klinshak Longbak (65th).
Barau’s recent resurgence suffered a setback as they were held to a 1–1 draw by Bayelsa United. Ettah Ikoi gave Bayelsa the lead in the 29th minute before Yahaya Ibrahim restored parity from the penalty spot six minutes later.
Late drama also unfolded as Muktar Ismail’s 89th-minute strike rescued El-Kanemi Warriors from embarrassment against in-form Ikorodu City, lifting them to ninth on the table.
In Kano, it was no victor and no vanquished as relegation-threatened Plateau United battled to a hard-fought draw against Katsina United, boosting their survival hopes in a tense relegation scrap.
Another weekend, another reminder — in the NPFL, nothing is ever predictable.
