Rivers United remained atop the NPFL table after a 3-1 home win on Matchday 27. Rangers’ 4-1 victory over Remo Stars kept the title race close.
Rivers United did what they’ve done all season at Rumuola: made home ground feel like a fortress. Three different scorers, three points, and 52 points from 27 matches. Finidi George’s side isn’t going anywhere in a hurry.
Chigioke Mbaoma, Wisdom Samuel, and Samson Obi scored in Rivers’ 3-1 win over Bendel Insurance. Insurance’s late goal was consolation; Port Harcourt celebrated. As reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng, Rivers United opened a gap at the top, but the chasing clubs answered strongly this weekend.Rangers Deliver a Statement in Enugu
Rangers International dominated Remo Stars 4-1 at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, sending a clear signal to the league. Kenneth Igboke scored twice. Chidozie Iwundu and Wisdom Ebirim contributed goals. Remo’s Franck Kingue added one, but the game was decided early. Rangers have quietly built their title bid all season. Beating Remo Stars 4-1 shows the team is peaking.Wolves Sting Enyimba in Ozoro
Warri Wolves beat nine-time NPFL champions Enyimba 2-1 at Southern Delta University Stadium. It was a well-earned win. Qudus Olayinola scored a penalty in the 71st minute, Lati Yusuf added a second, and Chidera Michael pulled one back for Enyimba late. Coach Chidi Deutsch sought redemption but did not get it.For Enyimba, this defeat stings on several levels. They’ve been inconsistent all campaign, and this result drags them further from any realistic conversation about the title. Wolves, on the other hand, showed they can be dangerous opponents for anyone on their day.
Ahmed Musa Delivers Again for Pillars
Ahmed Musa scored at Sani Abacha Stadium as Kano Pillars beat Barau FC 1-0. The ground still hosts one of Nigeria’s decorated players. Musa isn’t chasing silverware with Pillars, but his goals matter for the club’s mid-table stability. At 33, he still challenges every NPFL defender.Nasarawa United Make Their Move
Nasarawa United climbed to third place with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ikorodu City in Lafia. Bright Amadi scored the winner seven minutes from time to settle what was a tense, low-scoring affair. These are the three points that shape title challenges.
Elsewhere, Abia Warriors beat Shooting Stars 2-0 at home with Emeka Obioma bagging a brace. Kwara United celebrated their first away win of the season after edging Katsina United 2-1 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. And Kun Khalifat beat Bayelsa United 1-0 through Uchechukwu Onuoha’s 45th-minute strike.
With the NPFL title race tight and the top four in play, fans can use the Bet9ja YOHAIG promotion code for up to ₦100,000 when betting on the final matches.Matchday 27 Full Results
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Rivers United | 3-1 | Bendel Insurance |
| Rangers Int’l | 4-1 | Remo Stars |
| Warri Wolves | 2-1 | Enyimba FC |
| Nasarawa United | 1-0 | Ikorodu City |
| Kano Pillars | 1-0 | Barau FC |
| Abia Warriors | 2-0 | Shooting Stars |
| Katsina United | 1-2 | Kwara United |
| Kun Khalifat | 1-0 | Bayelsa United |
| Plateau United | 3-0 | Niger Tornadoes |
What This Means for the Title Race
Rivers United sit on 52 points from 27 matches. That’s the headline number. But the gap between the first and the chasing pack isn’t as comfortable as it sounds. Rangers are breathing down their necks, and Nasarawa United’s move to third keeps four teams in genuine contention with significant matches still to play.
📌 Did You Know?
- Rivers United’s Matchday 27 win means they’ve now scored in each of their last nine home NPFL matches this season, making Rumuola Stadium one of the most reliable scoring environments in the league.
- Kenneth Igboke’s brace for Rangers against Remo Stars takes him into double figures in all NPFL appearances for the Flying Antelopes this season, cementing his status as one of the most productive midfield scorers in the league.
- Warri Wolves’ 2-1 victory over Enyimba was their first win against the nine-time champions in their last four NPFL meetings, making it a result of genuine historical significance for the Delta State club.
- Kwara United’s 2-1 win at Katsina was confirmed as their first away victory of the entire 2025/26 NPFL season, meaning they had gone 13 away matches without a win before Saturday’s result.
- Ahmed Musa, who scored Kano Pillars’ winner against Barau FC, became the most-capped Super Eagles player in Nigerian football history during his international career, earning 116 caps for Nigeria before retirement from international duty.
- Finidi George, Rivers United’s head coach, won the NPFL title as a player with Julius Berger FC before building his coaching reputation. His current Rivers United side is on course to deliver him his first title as a manager.
- The 2025/26 NPFL season features 20 clubs competing across the country, making it one of the most competitive editions in recent years, with the title race still involving at least four clubs entering the final third of the campaign.
