Shooting Stars delivered one in every of their most convincing performances of the season on Sunday, thrashing Abia Warriors 4-1 in Ibadan, as Rivers United maintained their top spot within the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after an eventful Matchday 11 that produced 20 objectives throughout eight matches.
The Ibadan-based facet dominated the encounter on the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, to safe a much-needed victory and transfer into tenth place with 15 factors from 11 matches.
Damilola Akinola opened the scoring within the fourth minute, and Sodiq Ibrahim prolonged the lead within the forty first minute.
Ibrahim accomplished his brace deep into first-half added time to ship a commanding 3-0 lead on the interval.
Abia Warriors pulled one again within the eightieth minute, elevating hopes of a late restoration. However, Issa Yusuf restored Shooting Stars’ three-goal benefit with an 88th-minute strike to finish the emphatic victory.
In Kano, Nasarawa United’s five-match unbeaten run led to a 2-0 defeat to Kano Pillars on the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Ibrahim Yahaya gave the hosts an early benefit within the fifteenth minute earlier than Fabian Nworie doubled their lead within the sixty fourth minute to safe most factors for the Sai Masu Gida.
The defeat noticed Nasarawa United drop to the fifth place with 17 factors, whereas Kano Pillars climbed to fourth with 18 factors, strengthening their place among the many early contenders.
At the top of the desk, Rivers United remained leaders regardless of a 1-1 draw with Rangers International.
The consequence left each golf equipment stage on 18 factors, though Rivers United retained first place with a superior purpose distinction of 10, in contrast with Rangers’ 5. Rivers have performed 11 matches, whereas Rangers have two video games in hand.
Bendel Insurance additionally moved to 18 factors after securing a beneficial 2-1 away victory over Kwara United. The Benin-based membership climbed to 3rd place, with a recreation in hand over the 2 main sides.
Elsewhere, Enyimba secured a slender 1-0 victory over Kun Khalifat to maneuver to sixteenth place with 11 factors, providing the Aba-based facet some reduction of their marketing campaign.
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Plateau United and Warri Wolves shared the factors in a 1-1 draw, whereas Katsina United defeated Sporting Lagos 2-1 to strengthen their place within the top half of the standings.
Inter Lagos and Rangers Bees additionally drew, leaving each side struggling in the direction of the underside of the desk.
Inter Lagos stay backside with three factors after a three-point and three-goal deduction for an infringement. Warri Wolves, who additionally suffered an analogous deduction, occupy seventeenth place with 10 factors.
The Matchday 11 outcomes depart Rivers United, Rangers International, Bendel Insurance and Kano Pillars separated solely by purpose distinction on the top, with every membership having 18 factors.
Nasarawa United comply with in fifth place with 17 factors, whereas Plateau United, Barau FC, Niger Tornadoes and Katsina United all have 16 factors.
With a number of excellent fixtures, the battle for early-season supremacy stays intently contested as the 2026/27 NPFL marketing campaign progresses.
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