Shooting Stars, also known as 3SC, delivered a convincing performance on Sunday, thrashing Abia Warriors 4-1 in Ibadan. The match took place at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba. This victory helped Shooting Stars move into 10th position with 15 points from 11 matches. Damilola Akinola opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and Sodiq Ibrahim extended the lead in the 41st minute. Ibrahim completed his brace deep into first-half added time, giving Shooting Stars a commanding 3-0 lead at the interval.
Abia Warriors pulled one back in the 80th minute, raising hopes of a late recovery. However, Issa Yusuf restored Shooting Stars' three-goal advantage with an 88th-minute strike, completing the emphatic victory. In another match, Nasarawa United's five-match unbeaten run ended in a 2-0 defeat to Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Ibrahim Yahaya gave Kano Pillars an early advantage in the 15th minute, and Fabian Nworie doubled their lead in the 64th minute.
The defeat saw Nasarawa United drop to fifth position with 17 points, while Kano Pillars climbed to fourth with 18 points. This win strengthened Kano Pillars' position among the early contenders. At the top of the table, Rivers United maintained their lead despite a 1-1 draw with Rangers International. The result left both clubs level on 18 points, but Rivers United retained first place due to a superior goal difference of 10, compared to Rangers' five.
Rivers United has played 11 matches, while Rangers International has two games in hand. Bendel Insurance also moved to 18 points after securing a valuable 2-1 away victory over Kwara United. This win helped Bendel Insurance climb to third position, with a game in hand over the two leading sides. Elsewhere, Enyimba secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Kun Khalifat, moving to 16th position with 11 points.
This win offered Enyimba some relief in their campaign. In another match, Plateau United and Warri Wolves shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Katsina United defeated Sporting Lagos 2-1, strengthening their position in the top half of the standings. Inter Lagos and Rangers Bees also drew, leaving both sides struggling towards the bottom of the table.
Inter Lagos remains bottom with three points after a three-point and three-goal deduction for an infringement. Warri Wolves, who suffered a similar deduction, occupy 17th position with 10 points. The Matchday 11 results show that Rivers United, Rangers International, Bendel Insurance, and Kano Pillars are separated only by goal difference at the top, with each club having 18 points.
Nasarawa United follows in fifth place with 17 points, while Plateau United, Barau FC, Niger Tornadoes, and Katsina United all have 16 points. With several outstanding fixtures, the battle for early-season supremacy remains closely contested as the 2026/27 NPFL campaign progresses. The league continues to be highly competitive, with multiple teams vying for the top spot.
Key points
- Rivers United maintains top spot despite 1-1 draw with Rangers International.
- Shooting Stars thrash Abia Warriors 4-1 in Ibadan.
- Kano Pillars climb to fourth position with 18 points after defeating Nasarawa United 2-0.
