Rangers International, the defending champions, secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Abia Warriors on Sunday at the Awka Township Stadium. This win strengthened their position among the leading contenders in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The team had previously recorded a 1-0 away victory over Warri Wolves in a rescheduled fixture. The match also provided an opportunity for Rangers to celebrate striker Godwin Obaje, who was recognised before kick-off for reaching the 100-goal mark in the NPFL.
Godwin Obaje achieved the 100-goal milestone four days earlier, scoring the winning penalty in Rangers' 1-0 victory over Warri Wolves in Ozoro, Delta State. This goal made him one of the select group of players to have reached a century of goals in Nigeria's top flight. Obaje's career in the domestic top flight has taken him through Wikki Tourists, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Plateau United, Abia Warriors, and Rangers International. He enjoyed his most prolific campaign with Wikki Tourists in 2016, finishing as the NPFL's leading scorer with 18 goals.
Obaje's milestone represents one of the standout individual achievements of the early 2026/27 NPFL season. His 100 league goals include 35 goals for Rangers, 25 for Wikki Tourists, 16 for FC Ifeanyi Ubah, one for Plateau United, and 23 during his spell with Abia Warriors. This century reflects not only his goalscoring ability but also the longevity required to remain productive in the domestic league over several seasons.
Rangers entered Matchday 7 as one of the teams setting the pace in the early title race and faced an Abia Warriors side that had also gained confidence from a 3-0 victory over Bendel Insurance in their previous fixture. Rangers produced the stronger performance, claiming a 3-1 victory to add another three points to their campaign. The result was particularly important for the defending champions following their 2-0 defeat to Ikorodu City on Matchday 6.
Rivers United also continued their impressive start to the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ikorodu City. The result kept the Port Harcourt club firmly in contention at the top end of the table and maintained their unbeaten run. Rivers United had previously secured a 1-1 draw away to Katsina United in their rescheduled fixture on September 30 and returned to winning ways against Ikorodu City.
Enyimba recorded a crucial 2-0 home victory over Plateau United to continue their recovery. The Aba giants had endured a difficult opening to the campaign but produced a significant statement with their 4-2 victory over Shooting Stars before adding another three points against Plateau United. The latest result gives Enyimba renewed momentum as they seek to close the gap on the leading teams.
Matchday 7 produced several notable results, including Bendel Insurance's 4-1 thrashing of Barau FC, Kwara United's 2-1 victory over Ranchers Bees, and Niger Tornadoes' narrow 1-0 win over Kun Khalifat. Other matches ended in draws, including the goalless draw between Shooting Stars and Nasarawa United, and the 1-1 draw between Kano Pillars and Sporting Lagos.
Key points
- Godwin Obaje becomes one of the select group of players to have reached a century of goals in Nigeria's top flight.
- Rangers International strengthens their position in the NPFL with a 3-1 victory over Abia Warriors.
- Rivers United maintains their unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory over Ikorodu City.
