Rivers United returned to second place in the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League after a goalless draw with Ranchers Bees at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on Monday evening despite still having a game yet to be played.
The final Matchday 6 fixture took the Pride of Rivers to 11 points, level with Plateau United but ahead on goal difference. Barau FC lead with 12.
The draw denied Ranchers Bees a third victory in as many home matches. The promoted side had beaten Abia Warriors 4-0 and Bendel Insurance 2-1, but could not find a winner against Rivers. They now have seven points from six games.
Enyimba also took a point from Kano, holding Kano Pillars 0-0 on Sunday after losing their first four matches.
Goalkeeper Dede Dare made several saves for the People’s Elephant, who remain bottom with one point from five games. Pillars are unbeaten in their last nine home league meetings with Enyimba.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Ikorodu City earned their first league win over defending champions Rangers International. Aderemi Adeoye and Ikechukwu Junior scored from free kicks in a 2-0 victory that lifted Ikorodu to eighth on eight points. Rangers had won all four previous league meetings, including last season’s final-day encounter at the same venue.
The President candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, watched from the stands.
Kun Khalifat secured their first win of the season through Agor Chukwuma’s 64th-minute goal against Kwara United. Kwara’s Mighty Emmanuel Yikat had been sent off four minutes earlier. The 1-0 result took Kun Khalifat to 18th with five points.
Barau preserved their unbeaten start with a 1-1 draw at Sporting Lagos. Joseph Atule’s 35th-minute penalty put the leaders ahead before Sodiq Ayoade equalised shortly after the hour.
Plateau United beat Inter Lagos 2-0 through Gideon Monday and Jibrin Ibrahim to join Rivers on 11 points. Gbenga Ogunbote’s men are third.
Elsewhere, Ikoi Etta and two-goal Emeka Obioma gave Abia Warriors a 3-0 win over Bendel Insurance. Mukhtar Ismail struck Katsina United’s winner in a 2-1 victory over Doma United after Sadiq Rilwan had cancelled out Luis Dadong’s penalty.
Harrison Ebah earned Nasarawa United a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes, while Othuke Egbo gave Warri Wolves a 1-0 victory against Shooting Stars.
NPFL Matchday 6 Results
Sporting Lagos 1–1 Barau FC
Kano Pillars 0–0 Enyimba
Kun Khalifat 1–0 Kwara United
Ikorodu City 2–0 Rangers International
Abia Warriors 3–0 Bendel Insurance
Katsina United 2–1 Doma United
Plateau United 2–0 Inter Lagos
Nasarawa United 1–0 Niger Tornadoes
Warri Wolves 1–0 Shooting Stars
Ranchers Bees 0–0 Rivers United
