Godswill Akpabio United FC began their 2025/2026 Nigeria National League campaign in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside First Bank of Lagos 5–1 at the Uyo Township Stadium on Saturday.
The home side started brightly and took a deserved lead in the first half through former Akwa United forward Eco Barine, who rose highest to head firmly into the net. Despite creating more chances before the interval, GAU FC went into half-time with a narrow 1–0 lead.
First Bank equalised early in the second half with a calm finish that briefly quietened the home support, but the setback only spurred the hosts on.
Their response was swift. Samuel Bassey restored the advantage with a composed strike, before Barine powered in his second of the afternoon with a fierce effort into the roof of the net to make it 3–1.
Substitute midfielder Isaac George added the fourth with a tidy finish, and Energy Kennedy wrapped up the scoring late on to seal a dominant win. The result sends United to the top of Group B with a +4 goal difference.
Saturday’s match also marked the beginning of their second season under new head coach Lawrence Kingsley, who has stepped up from assistant coach after the departure of Patrick Udoh. Kingsley is targeting promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Sporting Lagos opened their push for a return to the topflight with a confident 3–1 victory over Osun United.
Aondona Adeede struck inside four minutes, before Kelvin Unenge doubled the lead midway through the first half. Osun United responded almost immediately through Tomiwa Awojobi, but Sporting kept their grip on the game.
Samuel Victor restored the two-goal cushion in the 65th minute to secure a comfortable win. Sporting face First Bank next in a Lagos derby.
In Abeokuta, Inter Lagos delivered the weekend’s only away victory with a 1–0 win over Gateway FC at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
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Saturday Okon scored the decisive goal in the 67th minute, giving Inter Lagos an early-season boost ahead of their home fixture against Smart City.
Elsewhere in the NNL
There were notable wins across the divisions:
Crown FC defeated Heartland 3–0
Bichi First beat Yobe Desert Stars 3–0
Abia Comets won 2–0 against Smart City
Jigawa Golden Stars edged Kebbi FC 2–1
Lobi Stars defeated City FC Abuja 1–0
Adel FC beat Sunshine Stars 1–0
Roma United claimed a 1–0 victory over Kada Stars
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Beyond Limits were awarded three points and three goals after Dakkada FC failed to honour their fixture.
