Barau FC striker Joseph Atule hailed his late strike as he fired the Maliya Boys to a 1–0 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) victory over Kun Khalifat FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday.
The lone goal came in the 75th minute and proved decisive in a tight contest between two newly promoted sides, lifting Barau to 12th place on the NPFL table. Atule, a former Enyimba forward who joined Barau during the 2025/26 mid-season transfer window, expressed delight that his finish not only gave him personal satisfaction but also secured vital three points for his current club.
Reflecting on the challenge, he said facing Kun Khalifat a side he once played against while at Enyimba made the win all the more meaningful, praising his teammates for their resilience in a hard-fought encounter. The result leaves Kun Khalifat anchored near the bottom of the standings, while Barau continue to build momentum as the NPFL season reaches its crucial stages.
Editorial
Joseph Atule’s match-winning goal for Barau FC illustrates the impact a sharp finisher can have in the NPFL’s tightly contested fixtures. With both sides eager to climb the table, his composed finish at a key moment demonstrated experience and confidence — two valuable assets for a club still finding its feet in the top flight.
Barau’s rise to 12th place shows they are carving out a respectable position in the league despite being newly promoted. Securing narrow wins like this not only boosts morale but also strengthens belief within the squad that they can compete across the season. Nigerian fans closely follow these tight margins, knowing that every point can shape the battle between survival and mid-table security.
For Kun Khalifat, the narrow defeat underscores the fine line between earning crucial points and missing out. As they search for consistency, finding ways to close out chances and protect leads will be key if they hope to move away from the relegation zone in the weeks ahead.
Did You Know?
- Joseph Atule’s 75th-minute strike was the sole goal in Barau FC’s 1–0 win over Kun Khalifat FC.
- Barau FC are nicknamed the Maliya Boys and play in the NPFL for the 2025/26 season.
- Atule previously featured for Enyimba before joining Barau FC in the mid-season transfer window.
- The victory moved Barau FC to 12th on the NPFL table with 33 points after Matchday 26.
- Kun Khalifat FC remain near the bottom of the league standings after the defeat.
