Nasarawa United Return to NPFL Summit After Dominant 3–0 Win

Nasarawa United reclaimed top spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday after cruising to a 3–0 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors in Lafia, ending their frustrating four-game winless run.

Anas Yusuf was the hero of the afternoon, netting a composed brace for the Solid Miners, while Garba Mohammed added a third to seal a much-needed win for Mbwas Mangut’s side.

Defending champions Remo Stars were also in sharp form, securing a 2–0 win over Barau FC at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta. Centre-back Ahmed Akinyele opened the scoring in the 15th minute before striker Victor Mbaoma doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark.

In Enugu, Rangers earned a hard-fought 1–0 win against Niger Tornadoes, with Kenechukwu Agu scoring the decisive goal 20 minutes from time.

At the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, Wikki Tourists fought back from an early setback to rescue a 1–1 draw against Bayelsa United. Ifeanyi Ogba put the visitors ahead in the eighth minute, but Nasir Jibrin struck three minutes from the end to earn Wikki a deserved point.

Warri Wolves and Kun Khalifat FC also shared spoils in another 1–1 draw. Adebambo Ademola handed Wolves an early lead in the seventh minute before Lekan Gabriel levelled for Kun Khalifat seven minutes before halftime.

At the Umuahia Township Stadium, Abia Warriors and Bendel Insurance battled to a cagey 0–0 stalemate, while Kwara United and Shooting Stars also played out a goalless draw in Ilorin.

Editorial

There are victories that decorate a season, and then there are victories that restore its soul. For Nasarawa United, Sunday’s 3–0 triumph felt like the latter a cleansing, decisive reminder that despite recent stumbles, they remain built for the summit they reclaimed.

Football often rewards conviction, and that quality radiated through Anas Yusuf, whose brace was less about personal brilliance and more about a team rediscovering its rhythm. His movement, sharpness and calm finishing symbolised the renewed intent of a side that had drifted through four games without a win. Garba Mohammed’s goal simply underlined the resurgence.

Elsewhere, Remo Stars champions whose crown never sits lightly rediscovered some fluency. A centre-back scoring the opener tells a story of structure and preparation, and Ahmed Akinyele delivered both. Victor Mbaoma’s strike added the flourish of a side refusing to be overshadowed in the early-season narrative.

Across the league, narrow victories and stubborn draws coloured the weekend, but one theme echoed throughout: resilience. Rangers grinding out a win, Wikki Tourists refusing to wilt, stalemates fought with tactical caution — these are the stories that shape the NPFL long before the title race becomes mathematical.

Yet, for Nasarawa, this was about far more than points. It was about posture. It was about presence. A team battered by recent form now carries the confidence of a side intent on dictating the tempo of the NPFL season. Whether this becomes a turning point or simply a reprieve will depend on what follows. Momentum, once rediscovered, demands to be nurtured.

Did You Know?

1. Nasarawa United’s Lafia Township Stadium is considered one of the most challenging away grounds in the NPFL due to its intense atmosphere and high temperatures during afternoon kick-offs.
2. Remo Stars’ Ahmed Akinyele, who scored against Barau FC, originally started his career as a defensive midfielder before transitioning full-time to centre-back.
3. Rangers International is the NPFL’s longest-existing club never to have been relegated from the top flight since their establishment in 1970.
4. Warri Wolves once competed in the CAF Champions League group stage in 2010 — the highest continental achievement in the club’s history.
5. Kwara United and Shooting Stars (3SC) share one of the oldest rivalries in Nigerian club football, dating back over four decades in league and cup competitions.