NPFL: Rivers United reclaim top spot as title race heats up

Sunday’s Matchday 34 fixtures of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) saw Rivers United move back to the summit of the league with a narrow victory over Plateau United, while Ikorodu City strengthened their continental ambitions with an emphatic win against Kano Pillars.

The encounter produced a shift at both ends of the table as the title race and relegation battle intensified, with every side still having something at stake in the closing stages of the season.

Title race tilts towards Rivers

Rivers United edged Plateau United 1-0, with Wisdom Samuel scoring the only goal of the encounter in the 11th minute. The result lifted the Port Harcourt side back to the top of the standings with 58 points.

RIVERS UNITED 1-0 PLATEAU United 🔥

One goal was all it took!
– Wisdom Samuel 10’ finishes off an assist from Taofeek Otaniyi.

– Fortress defended. +3 in the bag.
Enjoy the highlights 🎬 #NPFL26 #MD34 #RIVPLA pic.twitter.com/EijNYolcKg

— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) April 12, 2026

Their closest challengers, Enugu Rangers, however, dropped points in a goalless draw away to Niger Tornadoes in Minna—a result that keeps them within touching distance of the leaders, just two points behind.

Ikorodu City delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend with a commanding 3-0 victory over Kano Pillars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Joseph Arumala opened the scoring in the 28th minute with his 12th goal of the campaign, before Tosin Oyedokun doubled the advantage in the 70th minute.

Abayomi Ayodeji sealed the win in the 88th minute as the Lagos-based side moved to 55 points in third, boosting their push for a maiden continental ticket in only their second season.

Relegation battle heats up

Elsewhere, the battle for survival produced a series of tense encounters. Shooting Stars were held to a goalless draw by a desperate Kwara United, a result that lifted the Ilorin side to 16th place and out of the relegation zone as they prepare to return to their home ground following the completion of their stadium ban.

Defending champions Remo Stars suffered a damaging setback in their survival chase, losing 2-1 to Barau in Kano. Haruna Hadi had given Remo Stars the lead in the 63rd minute, but the advantage lasted only seven minutes before Joseph Atule equalized.

Joseph Kemin then completed the turnaround in the 83rd minute, a defeat that leaves the Sky Blue Stars languishing in 19th place.

Enyimba eased their relegation concerns with a convincing 3-0 victory over Katsina United in Aba. Stanley Dimgba opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, Chidera Michael added a second eight minutes later, and Wonah Williams completed the rout in the 79th minute. The win moved the nine-time champions up to 12th on 43 points.

Shifts at the bottom

Wikki Tourists recorded the only away victory of the round, shocking Bayelsa United 1-0 in Yenagoa thanks to Imamu Bala’s 67th-minute strike.

Kun Khalifat continued their late push for safety with a 3-0 win over Wolves; Mmesoma Nnorom gave them an early lead before Uchechukwu Onuoha doubled the advantage late on.

The victory keeps Kun Khalifat’s survival hopes alive despite remaining at the bottom of the table on 39 points. Just above them, Remo Stars, Wikki Tourists, Bayelsa United, and Kwara United are all locked on 40 points, highlighting the fierce competition to avoid the drop.

Matchday 34 will conclude today, with El-Kanemi Warriors hosting Nasarawa United in Maiduguri in a fixture that could further shape both the title race and the relegation battle.