Euromatch NPFL Round-Up: ‘Nzogbu, Nzogbu’ Silenced as Enyimba Enyi Fall at Home

The famous ‘Nzogbu, Nzogbu, Enyimba Enyi’ chant was silenced in Aba on Sunday as nine-time champions Enyimba suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Inter Lagos in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Ezekiel Moses scored the only goal in the 18th minute to hand Inter Lagos their first-ever NPFL victory, while Enyimba were left without a win after their opening three matches of the season.

The Aba giants failed to produce a response after falling behind and suffered their third consecutive defeat, dropping to the bottom of the table in a disastrous start to their campaign.

Inter Lagos, meanwhile, finally opened their points account after losing their first three matches and celebrated a historic victory against one of Nigerian football’s most successful clubs.

Elsewhere, Plateau United ended Shooting Stars’ unbeaten start to the season with a 3-1 victory in Jos.
Shooting Stars took an early lead through Taheer Abubakar in the 14th minute, but Plateau United fought back after the interval, with Jibril Ibrahim equalising five minutes into the second half.

Seiyefa Jackson completed the turnaround in the 71st minute before Monday Gideon added the third three minutes from full time to condemn Shooting Stars to their first league defeat of the campaign.

The result came shortly after Shooting Stars were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup.
In Kano, Kano Pillars brought Doma United’s perfect start to the season to an emphatic end with a 4-1 victory.

Pillars established a two-goal advantage before Rilwan Sadiq pulled one back for Doma United in the 53rd minute.
The hosts responded by restoring their two-goal cushion before Nasiru Salihu completed the scoring in the 90th minute.

Under Daniel Ogunmodede, Kano Pillars have now recorded two wins and a draw from their opening three matches, scoring nine goals in the process.
Rivers United maintained their unbeaten beginning to the campaign after securing a 1-1 draw away to Nasarawa United in Lafia.

The visitors took the lead in the 67th minute when a deflection from Chijioke Mbaoma’s effort wrong-footed the Nasarawa defence and ended in the net.
Nasarawa United fought back and were rewarded with an equaliser from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute, ensuring the points were shared.

Abia Warriors also secured their first victory of the season with a 2-0 away win over Sporting Lagos in Lagos.
The visitors broke the deadlock three minutes from time before Emeka Obioma added a second goal in the 90th minute to seal the points.

The defeat prevented Sporting Lagos from building on their recent derby victory over Inter Lagos and handed Abia Warriors a much-needed boost after their difficult start.

Warri Wolves also celebrated their first victory of the season, edging Kwara United 1-0 in Delta State.

Eventus Itolowo struck as early as the seventh minute and the hosts held on for the remainder of the contest to secure all three points.

The victory lifted Warri Wolves to 17th position in the standings.

Defending champions Enugu Rangers recorded their second consecutive league victory by defeating Kun Khalifat 4-2 in the Oriental derby in Owerri.

Folarin Temitope and Waheed Adebayo gave Rangers a two-goal advantage before Preye Seikorowei and Ayuba Umars added further goals to put the champions firmly in control.

Kun Khalifat managed to score twice through Chimobi Igwilo, but Rangers held on to claim a convincing derby victory and continue their recovery in the league.

On Saturday, Barau FC preserved their unbeaten start with a goalless draw against Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

Neither side could find the breakthrough as Barau moved to eight points from four matches and retained second position in the standings.

Ikorodu City, who have a game in hand, remained fifth with five points from three matches.

Katsina United also picked up their first win of the campaign, defeating Niger Tornadoes 1-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.

Abdulrahman Garba scored the decisive goal in the 21st minute, giving Katsina United a narrow victory and all three points.

In Kano, Ranchers Bees came from behind to defeat Bendel Insurance 2-1.

Chiedozie Jude Okorie put Bendel Insurance ahead four minutes after the restart, but Lekan Gabriel restored parity in the 66th minute.

Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu then completed the comeback with the winning goal 11 minutes from time.

The goal was Zulkifilu’s fifth of the NPFL season, keeping him among the leading scorers as Ranchers Bees secured another important result.