Enyimba’s miserable start to the 2026/27 Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League season took another painful turn on Wednesday as they surrendered two leads before falling to a 3-2 home defeat against Sporting Lagos, while Rangers continued their unbeaten campaign with a narrow victory over Ranchers Bees.
The defeat was more than another three points lost. It completed a disastrous opening to the season in which the Aba giants have now lost all four of their matches, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table without a single point.
The latest setback was particularly damaging because Enyimba had twice put themselves in front against Sporting Lagos but failed to protect either advantage, eventually allowing the visitors to complete a comeback victory.
The result also means Enyimba have now suffered consecutive home defeats to two Lagos based sides within four days. They were beaten 1-0 by Inter Lagos in their previous outing at the same Aba venue before Sporting Lagos returned to inflict another defeat.
Their opening four matches have now produced losses to Niger Tornadoes, Doma United, Inter Lagos and Sporting Lagos.
Even more striking is that three of those defeats have come against newly promoted opposition, with Doma United, Inter Lagos and Sporting Lagos all getting the better of the former Nigerian champions.
It leaves Enyimba facing an early-season crisis, with the club’s difficult start threatening to become one of the most damaging openings in their recent league history.
The Sporting Lagos defeat also means Enyimba remain the only side in the division without a point after four matches.
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While Enyimba’s struggles dominated the headlines, Rangers continued to provide one of the brighter stories of the campaign.
The reigning champions defeated Ranchers Bees 1-0 to extend their unbeaten start and move to second place with 10 points from four matches.
Rangers have now won three of their four league games, with their only dropped points coming in a 1-1 draw against Katsina United. Their unbeaten run has come despite the disruption caused by their CAF Champions League campaign.
Their latest victory was not as spectacular as the 4-2 win over Kun Khalifat FC in their previous league outing, but it was enough to maintain their momentum as they continue to balance domestic and continental commitments.
Rangers’ 10 points leave them just one point behind early leaders Barau FC, who also strengthened their position with a 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors.
Doma United remained third on 10 points after being held to a 2-2 draw by Plateau United, while Insurance moved into fourth after their 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City.
Kano Pillars occupy fifth place with eight points following their 1-1 draw against Inter Lagos.
At the other end of the table, Enyimba’s situation is becoming increasingly concerning. Their four defeats have produced only three goals, while they have conceded eight, leaving them with a goal difference of minus five.
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There was at least a contrasting story in Aba for Sporting Lagos, who secured their second win of the season and climbed to six points.
Their comeback victory ensured that the two Lagos clubs have now both taken maximum points from Enyimba at the same venue within the space of four days.
The Matchday 5 results also saw Shooting Stars beat Katsina United 2-0, Kwara United edge Nasarawa United 2-1, while Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw.
Doma United and Plateau United shared four goals in a 2-2 draw, while Inter Lagos held Kano Pillars to a 1-1 draw.
NPFL Matchday 5 full results
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Barau FC vs Abia Warriors | 2-0 |
| Enyimba vs Sporting Lagos | 2-3 |
| Bendel Insurance vs Ikorodu City | 2-1 |
| Shooting Stars vs Katsina United | 2-0 |
| Kwara United vs Nasarawa United | 2-1 |
| Doma United vs Plateau United | 2-2 |
| Niger Tornadoes vs Warri Wolves | 0-0 |
| Inter Lagos vs Kano Pillars | 1-1 |
| Rangers International vs Ranchers Bees | 1-0 |
NPFL 2026/27 standings after Matchday 5
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barau FC | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 11 |
| 2 | Rangers International | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 10 |
| 3 | Doma United | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 10 |
| 4 | Insurance | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 9 |
| 5 | Kano Pillars | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 8 |
| 6 | Plateau United | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 8 |
| 7 | Rivers United | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 |
| 8 | Kwara United | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 7 |
| 9 | Shooting Stars | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 |
| 10 | Ranchers Bees | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 6 |
| 11 | Sporting Lagos | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 12 | Ikorodu City | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 5 |
| 13 | Niger Tornadoes | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 5 |
| 14 | Abia Warriors | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 5 |
| 15 | Warri Wolves | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| 16 | Nasarawa United | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 4 |
| 17 | Inter Lagos | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 4 |
| 18 | Katsina United | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 4 |
| 19 | Kun Khalifat FC | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 2 |
| 20 | Enyimba | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 |
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Rivers United vs Kun Khalifat FC is still outstanding from the Matchday 5 and is scheduled for Thursday 24th September 2026 in Rivers state.
