The race for the 2026/27 Euromatch-NPFL title gathered another layer of intrigue after Matchday 12, with Rangers maintaining their position at the top, Bendel Insurance moving into second place and Nasarawa United strengthening their challenge among the leading sides.
At the other end of the table, Enyimba and Abia Warriors remain deep in the relegation battle after disappointing results, while Ranchers Bees secured a valuable victory and Doma United continued their encouraging campaign with another point.
Eight matches were played across the weekend, with Rangers, Bendel Insurance, Nasarawa United, Barau and Ranchers Bees among the teams to collect maximum points.
Rangers maintain their grip on top spot
Rangers continued their impressive start to the campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Kwara United at the Awka City Stadium.
Victor Chimezie scored the only goal five minutes before half time, giving the Flying Antelopes another important home victory and taking their tally to 24 points from 11 matches.
The result keeps Rangers at the summit, three points ahead of Bendel Insurance, although the leaders have played one match fewer than several of their closest challengers.
Kwara United, meanwhile, remain 17th with 12 points after suffering their sixth defeat of the campaign. Their position leaves little room for further setbacks as the season progresses.
Bendel Insurance snatch late winner to climb to second
Bendel Insurance produced one of the weekend’s most dramatic finishes, scoring deep into stoppage time to defeat Niger Tornadoes 2-1.
Niger Tornadoes took the lead through a penalty in the 34th minute, but Jonathan James restored parity for the Benin Arsenal in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the first half.
With the contest seemingly heading towards a draw, John Taiwo struck in the 90th minute plus five to secure all three points for Bendel Insurance.
The victory lifted them to second place with 21 points from 12 matches. They have now recorded seven wins and five defeats, making them the only team yet to draw a league match this season.
It was also their third victory in their last five league outings.
Niger Tornadoes, who remain 10th with 16 points, missed the opportunity to move closer to the leading group.
Nasarawa strengthen their position as Barau claim important win
Nasarawa United strengthened their position in the top three with a 3-1 victory over Plateau United.
The result leaves Nasarawa third with 20 points from 12 matches, keeping them firmly within reach of the leading two sides.
Plateau United, who had an opportunity to improve their position, remain eighth with 16 points. Their fourth defeat of the campaign leaves them needing greater consistency to challenge the teams above them.
Barau also collected three points, defeating Shooting Stars 1-0 to move into fourth place with 19 points.
The result leaves Barau level on points with Kano Pillars but ahead on goal difference. Shooting Stars remain 12th with 15 points after their fifth defeat of the season.
Kano Pillars, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw by Kun Khalifat in the other Friday fixture. The result leaves the Sai Masu Gida fifth with 19 points, while Kun Khalifat occupy 15th position with 13 points.
Rivers United remain sixth with 18 points from 11 matches, meaning they have a game in hand on several teams above them.
Ranchers Bees deepen Enyimba’s away-day misery
Enyimba’s difficult campaign suffered another setback after they lost 1-0 to Ranchers Bees at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna.
Chiedozie Jude Okorie scored the decisive goal in the 43rd minute, finding the net with a shot from outside the penalty area to give Ranchers Bees a valuable advantage before the break.
Enyimba created opportunities to get back into the contest, with goalkeeper Tofa making important interventions, including a save to deny Tobi Iyanda early in the second half.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way through, extending their wait for a first away victory this season.
The defeat leaves Enyimba 18th with 11 points from 12 matches, having recorded three wins, two draws and seven losses.
Ranchers Bees moved up to 16th with 12 points from 11 matches. The victory was particularly important for a side that had gone six league matches without winning before the encounter.
Abia Warriors drop more points as Doma United hold on
Abia Warriors missed another opportunity to move away from the relegation zone after being held to a 2-2 draw by Doma United.
The visitors took an early lead in the seventh minute following a defensive error, but Obioma Chukwumeka restored parity for Abia Warriors in the 38th minute.
Doma United regained the advantage in the 68th minute, leaving the hosts facing another difficult afternoon. However, Obioma struck again in the 79th minute, finishing from Ochoche Ngbede’s drop ball to bring the contest level for a second time.
Abia Warriors had an opportunity to complete the comeback in stoppage time, but Obioma missed a clear chance in the 90th minute plus three.
The draw leaves Imama Amapakabo’s side 19th with 11 points from 12 matches. Although they have collected five draws, their two victories and five defeats have left them in serious danger near the bottom.
Doma United, meanwhile, remain ninth with 16 points from 11 matches. The newly promoted side have made a competitive start to life in the top flight and still have a game in hand.
Warri Wolves and Katsina United share the points
Warri Wolves and Katsina United played out a 1-1 draw, with neither side able to claim all three points.
The result leaves Katsina United seventh with 17 points from 12 matches, while Warri Wolves are 14th with 14 points.
Both clubs will see the draw as an opportunity missed to improve their positions, particularly with the teams around them continuing to collect points.
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Rangers remain in control of the title race, but Bendel Insurance and Nasarawa United are keeping the pressure on. Barau and Kano Pillars are also within reach of the leading positions, while Rivers United’s game in hand makes them an important team to watch.
The battle at the bottom is becoming increasingly concerning for Enyimba and Abia Warriors. Both clubs have 11 points, with Enyimba ahead on goal difference, while Inter Lagos remain bottom with just three points from 11 matches.
Matchday 12: Full-time results
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Abia Warriors vs Doma United | 2–2 |
| Barau vs Shooting Stars | 1–0 |
| Bendel Insurance vs Niger Tornadoes | 2–1 |
| Nasarawa United vs Plateau United | 3–1 |
| Ranchers Bees vs Enyimba | 1–0 |
| Enugu Rangers vs Kwara United | 1–0 |
| Warri Wolves vs Katsina United | 1–1 |
| Kun Khalifat vs Kano Pillars | 1–1 |
NPFL table after Matchday 12
| Pos. | Club | P | W | D | L | GF:GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangers | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 17:10 | +7 | 24 |
| 2 | Bendel Insurance | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 20:17 | +3 | 21 |
| 3 | Nasarawa United | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 14:11 | +3 | 20 |
| 4 | Barau | 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 14:10 | +4 | 19 |
| 5 | Kano Pillars | 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 15:12 | +3 | 19 |
| 6 | Rivers United | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 15:5 | +10 | 18 |
| 7 | Katsina United | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 15:16 | -1 | 17 |
| 8 | Plateau United | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 19:17 | +2 | 16 |
| 9 | Doma United | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15:15 | 0 | 16 |
| 10 | Niger Tornadoes | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10:10 | 0 | 16 |
| 11 | Sporting Lagos | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14:13 | +1 | 15 |
| 12 | Shooting Stars | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 16:16 | 0 | 15 |
| 13 | Ikorodu City | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 15:13 | +2 | 14 |
| 14 | Warri Wolves | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 8:9 | -1 | 14 |
| 15 | Kun Khalifat | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10:17 | -7 | 13 |
| 16 | Ranchers Bees | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 12:14 | -2 | 12 |
| 17 | Kwara United | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12:14 | -2 | 12 |
| 18 | Enyimba | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 12:16 | -4 | 11 |
| 19 | Abia Warriors | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 12:19 | -7 | 11 |
| 20 | Inter Lagos | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6:20 | -14 | 3 |
