A revived Lagos derby, an unbeaten and unscored-against Doma United, and goals across the board defined matchday three of the 2026/27 NPFL season.
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Matchday three of the 2026/27 NPFL season produced plenty of storylines, headlined by a historic Lagos derby, a perfect start for newly promoted Doma United, and a flurry of goals across several fixtures.
Sporting Lagos Win First Lagos Derby In Over A Decade
Sporting Lagos beat Inter Lagos 3-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in the first top flight Lagos derby in more than ten years. Sodiq Ayoade opened the scoring, becoming the first player to score in a Lagos top flight derby since the fixture was last played, and also netting Sporting Lagos’ first goal since their return to the topflight. The win was Sporting’s first of the season and left Inter Lagos winless after three matches, all defeats.
Doma United Make It Three From Three Without Conceding
Doma United continued their perfect start, beating nine time champions Enyimba 2-0 at the Pantami Stadium thanks to goals from Sadiq Rilwan and Fantami Yusuf. The result gives the newly promoted side three wins from three, five goals scored and none conceded, making them the early pace setters of the season.
Bendel Insurance End Kun Khalifat’s Clean Sheet Run
Kun Khalifat had opened the season with two goalless draws without conceding, but that run ended in Benin City as Bendel Insurance won 4-2 in a six goal thriller at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Barau FC Make Kano A Fortress
Barau FC beat Ranchers Bees 3-1, the same scoreline by which they defeated Nasarawa United on the opening day, taking their home goal tally to six from two matches. Ranchers Bees striker Mohammed Zulkifilu, who scored a hat trick in the previous round, was unable to add to his tally.
Kwara United Break Their Duck
Kwara United picked up their first win of the season, beating Katsina United 3-0 at home, following an opening day draw with Kano Pillars and a defeat to Plateau United.
Abia Warriors and Ikorodu City played out a 2-2 draw in a lively contest in Aba, with both sides sharing the points after trading goals throughout the match.
Matchday Still Not Complete
Three matchday three fixtures remain outstanding due to earlier postponements: Rivers United host Warri Wolves on September 16, Rangers International face Nasarawa United on September 17, and Shooting Stars take on Kano Pillars on October 7. The Niger Tornadoes versus Plateau United fixture is also still to be played, scheduled for September 14.
