Abia Warriors hit NPFL summit after 7-year wait, Ikorodu City surge to 3rd with sixth unbeaten game

According to Opta Nigeria, Abia Warriors climbed to the summit of the NPFL table for the first time since Matchday 1 of the 2017/18 season, following a gritty 2–1 away win over Niger Tornadoes in Minna.

The Umuahia-based side, led by Imama Amapakabo, have now won four of their last five matches, bringing their season tally to seven wins from 11 games.

Sunday Megwo opened the scoring seven minutes before halftime, and Sunday Akinmoladun doubled the lead in added time. Although Abdulrasheed Dabai pulled one back for Tornadoes after a Clinton Jephta assist, the visitors held firm to inflict Tornadoes’ first home defeat of the season.

Abia Warriors now sit top with 21 points, having scored 11 goals and conceded 7, giving them a goal difference of +4.

Shooting Stars were held to a 1–1 draw by Katsina United at the Lekan Salami Stadium, marking their third home slip of the season.

Jamiu Yusuf stunned the home crowd with a fourth minute opener, but Chukwudi equalised ten minutes later.

Despite dominating possession, the Oluyole Warriors couldn’t find a winner in the remaining 80 minutes. They now sit ninth on the table with 16 points from 11 games, scoring 11 and conceding 10.

Enyimba bounced back from a three-game losing streak with a 2–0 win over bottom-placed Kano Pillars in Aba.

Under pressure from a two-game ultimatum issued by club management, coach Stanley Eguma saw his side respond with goals from Bassey John in the 29th minute and Edidiong Bassey five minutes later. Kano Pillars remain rooted to the bottom with just five points from 10 matches, having lost six and scored only three goals while conceding 12.

Enugu Rangers extended their winless run to three games after a goalless draw with El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri. Rangers, now 13th on the table with 13 points from 10 matches, have not won since their 1–0 victory over Katsina United on Matchday 7.

Rivers United edged Nasarawa United 1–0 in Port Harcourt, knocking the visitors off the top of the table.

Nasarawa have now lost two straight matches, following a 2–0 defeat to Ikorodu City on Matchday 9. Rivers United, with two games in hand, climb to eighth with 16 points from nine matches, scoring six and conceding three.

Bayelsa United secured a 2–1 comeback win over Plateau United at the Samson Siasia Sports Stadium.

Monday Gideon gave the visitors an early lead in the second minute, but Emo James responded with a brace, equalising in the 39th minute and sealing the win in the 57th. Plateau United remain 16th with 12 points, having scored 10 and conceded 15, with four of their goals coming from throw-ins.

Barau FC and Wikki Tourists played out a goalless draw at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Barau, still hovering near the relegation zone, have only two wins and nine points from 10 matches, while Wikki sit 14th with 13 points from 11 games.

Ikorodu City continued their impressive form with a 2–0 win over Kun Khalifat at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Oparaocha Chidozie opened the scoring, and Dagogo Ibifubara added a second on the hour mark.

The Oga Boys are now third on the table with 18 points from 11 games, having scored 12 and conceded 7, and are unbeaten in their last six matches.