Ikorodu City take early NPFL lead after opening-day win

Ikorodu City began the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season at the top of the table after recovering from an early setback to defeat Ranchers Bees 3-1.

Ranchers Bees, newly promoted to the league, scored in the seventh minute. Ikorodu City equalised through Umar Dan’Azumi in the 30th minute, then completed the turnaround when Abayomi Ayodeji scored just before half-time. Farouk Salami sealed the win with an 87th-minute penalty.

Rivers United also made a strong opening statement, beating Plateau United 2-0 in Port Harcourt. Abdulrasheed Dabai scored in the sixth minute and Wasiu Falolu added the second in the 38th minute for last season’s runners-up.

Kwara United produced one of the day’s comebacks, drawing 2-2 with Kano Pillars in Ilorin after Shola Abdulraheem and Rabiu Ali had put Pillars two goals ahead. Alex Jerry pulled one back two minutes after the interval and equalised in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Bendel Insurance beat Warri Wolves 2-1 after falling behind, while Niger Tornadoes defeated Enyimba by the same score. Barau FC beat Nasarawa United 3-1, with Joseph Atule scoring as he began his pursuit of a personal 20-goal target. Champions Rangers were held 1-1 by Katsina United in Abeokuta, where Chibueze Oputa’s stoppage-time effort went in after a goalkeeping error. Doma United defeated Sporting Lagos 2-0 in Gombe as both clubs returned to the top flight.