Ikorodu City made a flying start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season, coming from behind to defeat newly promoted Ranchers Bees 3-1 and move to the top of the table, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
Ranchers Bees stunned the hosts by taking the lead in the seventh minute, but Umar Dan’Azumi restored parity for the Oga Boys in the 30th minute.
Ikorodu City completed the turnaround just before half-time when Abayomi Ayodeji found the net, before Farouk Salami converted a penalty in the 87th minute to seal a 3-1 victory.
Elsewhere, Rivers United announced their intentions with a convincing 2-0 home victory over Plateau United in Port Harcourt. Abdulrasheed Dabai opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Wasiu Falolu doubled the advantage in the 38th minute, handing last season’s runners-up a comfortable start.
Kwara United produced one of the weekend’s biggest comebacks, recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Kano Pillars in Ilorin. Shola Abdulraheem gave Pillars an early lead in the 12th minute before Rabiu Ali doubled the advantage 17 minutes later.
Alex Jerry reduced the deficit two minutes after the restart, before completing the comeback with a dramatic equaliser in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Bendel Insurance also came from behind to defeat Warri Wolves 2-1. Eventus Itolowo put Wolves ahead in the fifth minute, but Kayode Oke levelled from the penalty spot in the 20th minute. Alex Oweilayefa then scored two minutes into the second half to complete Insurance’s comeback.
In Minna, Niger Tornadoes edged Enyimba 2-1. Aliyu Goyi gave the hosts the lead in the 40th minute, while Wonah Williams restored parity for Enyimba in the 71st minute. Michael Olalusi, however, struck seven minutes later to secure all three points for Tornadoes.
Barau FC also enjoyed a winning NPFL debut, defeating Nasarawa United 3-1. Joseph Atule opened the scoring in the 15th minute, while Abubakar Abdullahi equalised for Nasarawa five minutes later.
Barau regained the lead through Al’Amin Umar in the 78th minute before Sugau Aliyu added a third four minutes later. Atule’s early goal also marked the beginning of his pursuit of a personal target of 20 goals this season.
Reigning champions Rangers were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Katsina United at their adopted home ground in Abeokuta. Luis Dadong put Katsina ahead in the 38th minute before Chibueze Oputa rescued a point for Rangers in the seventh minute of added time.
Rangers’ equaliser came after Katsina United goalkeeper parried Oputa’s effort into his own net.
Meanwhile, Doma United marked their return to the NPFL with a 2-0 victory over fellow returnees Sporting Lagos in Gombe. Sadiq Rilwan opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Daniel Simon added the second in the 75th minute to complete a winning return for the hosts.
With the opening round producing goals, comebacks and late drama, Ikorodu City emerge as the early pace-setters in the 2026/27 NPFL campaign.
Matchday 1 results:
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Inter Lagos
- Abia Warriors 0-0 Kun Khalifat FC
- Kwara United 2-2 Kano Pillars
- Barau FC 3-1 Nasarawa United
- Bendel Insurance 2-1 Warri Wolves
- Rangers 1-1 Katsina United
- Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Enyimba
- Ikorodu City 3-1 Ranchers Bees
- Doma United 2-0 Sporting Lagos
- Rivers United 2-0 Plateau United