Bendel Insurance ended Rivers United’s nine-match unbeaten start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season with a dramatic 2-1 victory, while Kun Khalifat and Niger Tornadoes recorded crucial wins in an eventful EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 10.
Eight matches produced 16 goals on Sunday, October 25, with three home victories, one away win and four draws as the battle for the title and survival intensified.
Rivers United, Rangers International and Nasarawa United remained level on 17 points, although Rangers had two games in hand on the other two contenders.
Bendel Insurance End Rivers United’s Unbeaten Run
Bendel Insurance delivered one of Matchday 10’s biggest results, defeating Rivers United 2-1 in Benin City to bring the league leaders’ unbeaten run to an end.
Freeman Wuchirwe fired the Benin Arsenal ahead in the 48th minute before Rivers United striker Chijioke Mbaoma equalised in the 73rd minute.
Just when the contest appeared destined for a draw, Jonathan James struck in stoppage time to secure all three points for Bendel Insurance.
The victory strengthened Insurance’s position among the leading contenders, taking the Benin club to 15 points from nine matches.
Despite the defeat, Rivers United retained top spot on goal difference with 17 points from 10 matches, but their first league loss of the campaign tightened the contest at the summit.
Kun Khalifat Boost Survival Bid
Kun Khalifat claimed a vital 1-0 victory over Inter Lagos to strengthen their position in the battle to avoid relegation.
The Owerri-based side secured maximum points against the Lagos club, who remain bottom of the standings following their three-point deduction for an infraction.
The result took Kun Khalifat to 12 points from 10 matches, providing a welcome boost as the campaign progresses.
Inter Lagos, with just two points, face increasing pressure to reverse their fortunes and close the gap on the teams above them.
Niger Tornadoes Silence Abia Warriors
Niger Tornadoes secured the round’s only away victory, defeating Abia Warriors 1-0 in Umuahia.
Wasiu Jimoh scored the decisive goal in the 56th minute as the visitors produced a disciplined performance to claim all three points.
The defeat was Abia Warriors’ first home loss of the season, a setback their head coach, Imama Amapakabo, admitted would serve as a lesson to his team.
“I think Tornadoes showed character and resilience to come here and produce such a great performance and it is a big lesson for us,” Amapakabo said after the match.
Tornadoes moved to 15 points from 10 matches, strengthening their position in the upper half of the table, while Abia Warriors remained on 10 points.
Nasarawa United Deepen Enyimba’s Woes
Nasarawa United maintained their push for the NPFL title with a narrow 1-0 victory over Enyimba.
Jofrank Istifanus scored in the 23rd minute to secure the Solid Miners’ third-place position on goal difference, with the Lafia side level on 17 points with Rivers United and Rangers International.
The result extended Enyimba’s difficult campaign, leaving the Aba giants on eight points from 10 matches and under pressure to improve their position.
Ikorodu City Rally to Hold Shooting Stars
Ikorodu City staged a spirited comeback to draw 2-2 with Shooting Stars in the South-West derby at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
Taofeek Otaniyi opened the scoring for Shooting Stars in the third minute before Desmond Ojietefian doubled the visitors’ lead in the 36th minute.
Donald Obiajulu pulled one back for Ikorodu City in the 44th minute, giving the hosts renewed hope before the break.
Obiajulu completed his brace in the 83rd minute to rescue a point for Ikorodu City and deny Shooting Stars a valuable away victory.
The draw left Ikorodu City on 13 points and Shooting Stars on 12 points after 10 matches.
Katsina United Rescue Late Point Against Plateau United
Katsina United mounted a late comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against Plateau United.
An own goal in the 30th minute put Plateau United ahead before Jibril Ibrahim doubled their advantage in the 82nd minute.
Katsina United responded through Yusha’u Armiya’u in the 84th minute before Umar Rabiu scored in the 90+3rd minute to complete the recovery.
The draw left Plateau United on 15 points, while Katsina United moved to 13 points.
Barau, Kwara United Share Points
Barau FC and Kwara United settled for a 1-1 draw in another closely contested fixture.
Anthony Sunday gave Barau the lead in the 40th minute, but Goodluck Ogbolu equalised in the 63rd minute to earn Kwara United a share of the points.
Both teams moved to 15 and 12 points respectively, maintaining their positions in a tightly packed league table.
Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars also played out a goalless draw, with neither side finding a breakthrough.
Rivers United Remain Top as Race Tightens
Despite losing their unbeaten record, Rivers United remained top of the standings with 17 points and a +10 goal difference.
Rangers International, also on 17 points, occupied second place with two games in hand, while Nasarawa United were third on the same tally.
Plateau United, Barau FC, Bendel Insurance, Sporting Lagos, Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes were all on 15 points, highlighting the narrow margins separating the chasing pack.
At the other end, Inter Lagos remained bottom with two points, while Enyimba and Ranchers Bees had eight points each.
With 10 matchdays completed for most teams, the campaign is developing into a competitive contest at both ends of the table, with every result carrying significant implications for the title race and the fight for survival.
EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 10 Results at a Glance
- Katsina United 2-2 Plateau United
- Bendel Insurance 2-1 Rivers United
- Kun Khalifat 1-0 Inter Lagos
- Nasarawa United 1-0 Enyimba
- Barau FC 1-1 Kwara United
- Ikorodu City 2-2 Shooting Stars
- Abia Warriors 0-1 Niger Tornadoes
- Warri Wolves 0-0 Kano Pillars
Matchday 10 Statistics
- Matches played: 8
- Goals scored: 16
- Home wins: 3
- Away wins: 1
- Draws: 4
- League leaders: Rivers United — 17 points
- Biggest talking point: Bendel Insurance ended Rivers United’s unbeaten start to the season.
 season with a dramatic 2-1 victory, while Kun Khalifat and Niger Tornadoes recorded crucial wins in an eventful EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 10.){kind=link}