NPFL: Rangers Beat Bayelsa United Away, Rivers United Thrash Abia Warriors
Rangers won away against Bayelsa United as Rivers United routed Abia Warriors, reshaping the NPFL standings this weekend.
Rangers delivered a statement away performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League, tightening their grip on top spot.
In Yenagoa, the Flying Antelopes beat Bayelsa United 2-0, scoring once in each half to secure a result that kept them firmly ahead in the title race. Rangers now lead the standings with 62 points from 36 matches.
Meanwhile, Rivers United backed up their push higher in the table with a dominant 3-0 victory over Abia Warriors, with Wasiu Falolu, Timothy Zachariah, and Bello Babatunde finding the net.
This round matters because the NPFL is increasingly defined by who can turn pressure into points, especially when matches are played away from home.
Elsewhere, Shooting Stars climbed to second position after defeating Nasarawa United 3-2 in Ibadan. Lucky Emmanuel struck twice early, within the first 24 minutes, but Nasarawa United responded through goals from JoFrank Istifanus and Habibu Alakija.
Qamar Adegoke then scored the decisive goal 13 minutes from time, turning a game that had swung in both directions into a late breakthrough for Shooting Stars.
Enyimba also moved in a positive direction, beating Remo Stars 2-1 at home to boost their survival hopes. Remo Stars opened the scoring through Victor Mbaoma in the 21st minute, before Stanley Dimgba equalised for Enyimba seven minutes later, with Chidera Michael sealing the win in the 49th minute.
At the bottom end of the table, Kun Khalifat edged Kun Halifat 2-1 over Kano Pillars to move out of the bottom three.. After a goalless first half, Mmesoma Nnorom put Kun Khalifat ahead 10 minutes after the break, and Luis Dadong levelled for Pillars in the 85th minute.. Oghenetega Ebetomame then scored the winner deep into stoppage time.
Warri Wolves also picked up a narrow win, defeating Plateau United 1-0 in Ozoro through Tejiri Emonena. In another convincing display, Barau FC thrashed El-kanemi Warriors 3-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, with Sunday Anthony, Henry Ezeonye, and Joseph Atule all on target.
For fans watching the league closely, these outcomes highlight how quickly momentum can change, and how quickly one strong performance can ripple through the standings.
Misryoum’s full results: Barau 3-0 El-Kanemi Tornadoes; 2-2 Kwara Utd; Enyimba 2-1 Remo Stars; Bayelsa Utd 0-2 Rangers; Rivers Utd 3-0 Abia Warriors; Kun Khalifat 2-1 Kano Pillars; Wolves 1-0 Plateau Utd; 3SC 3-2 Nasarawa Utd.