NPFL: Ikorodu City stun Enyimba to move top after Matchday 26

At the conclusion of Matchday 26 in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the league witnessed a shift at the summit as Ikorodu City stunned Enyimba 1-0 to secure their second away win on Sunday.

​While eight games were played on Sunday, the action began on Saturday with Barau FC welcoming Kun Khalifat FC to the Sani Abacha Stadium.

Barau FC extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a narrow 1-0 victory. Joseph Atule’s second-half strike separated the sides and underlined the hosts’ steady climb away from relegation danger.

The Saturday fixture

In the weekend’s biggest result, Joseph Arumala scored the winning goal for Ikorodu City against the “People’s Elephant,” Enyimba, at the Enyimba International Stadium. With this victory, Ikorodu City moved to the top of the table with 44 points, widening the gap over Rivers United and Enugu Rangers.

 

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​Enugu Rangers secured second position following a 2-0 win over Wikki Tourists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. Wisdom Ebirim gave Rangers the lead in the 18th minute, before Godwin Obaje doubled the advantage shortly after the half-hour mark.

Meanwhile, defending NPFL champions Remo Stars played out a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Abia Warriors. Chukwuemeka Obioma put the visitors ahead in the 54th minute, but Samson Olasupo restored parity for Remo Stars 12 minutes from time.

​In Abeokuta, Shooting Stars (3SC) recovered swiftly from an early setback against Warri Wolves to produce one of their most clinical attacking displays of the season in a 4-2 thriller. Sodiq Ibrahim, Lucky Emmanuel, Desmond Ojietefian, and Stephen Amos were all on target for the “Oluyole Warriors,” while Wolves’ goals came via Peter Ita and Othuke Egbo.

The table standings

Ikorodu City currently leads the chase for their maiden NPFL title. However, Rivers United (41 points) still hold five games in hand following the conclusion of their CAF Champions League campaign.

Finidi George’s side, looking to bounce back from a 3-0 continental defeat against Renaissance de Berkane, travel to 18th-placed Kwara United on Wednesday. A victory there would put them level on points with Ikorodu City.

​At the bottom, the relegation battle is intensifying. Kun Khalifat FC appears destined for a return to the Nigeria National League (NNL), while defending champions Remo Stars find themselves in a shocking 19th place.

The battle for survival remains wide open, with teams from Wikki Tourists down to 11th-placed Niger Tornadoes all risking a slide into the danger zone if they suffer a poor run of form.

NPFL: Results from Matchday 26

Barau FC 1-0 Kun Khalifat FC

​Enugu Rangers 2-0 Wikki Tourists

​Remo Stars 1-1 Abia Warriors

​Kwara United 1-1 Kano Pillars

​Shooting Stars 4-2 Warri Wolves

​Enyimba 0-1 Ikorodu City

​Bayelsa United 0-0 Bendel Insurance

​Katsina United 1-0 Nasarawa United

​El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 Plateau United