EuroMatch NPFL 2026/27: Sporting Lagos Crush Inter as Doma United Set Early Pace at the Top
The 2026/27 EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League season is beginning to take shape, with Matchday Three producing significant movement at both ends of the table.
Sporting Lagos claimed local bragging rights with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Inter Lagos on Sunday, while Bendel Insurance, Kwara United and Barau also collected valuable points.
The results came a day after newly promoted Doma United strengthened their position at the summit with a statement 2-0 victory over nine-time champions Enyimba at the Pantami Stadium.
Doma’s victory, their third in three matches, took the Savannah Tigers to nine points and made them the only team in the division yet to drop a point this season. Sadiq Rilwan and Yusuf Fantami scored in either half as Doma continued their remarkable start to life back in the top flight.
Sporting Lagos Dominate Lagos Derby
Sporting Lagos produced the standout result of Sunday’s fixtures, defeating Inter Lagos 3-0 in the first NPFL meeting between the two Lagos clubs.
Inter had a major opportunity to change the complexion of the contest in the 21st minute when they were awarded a penalty after Iyede was fouled inside the box.
However, Uchenna Njoku failed to convert from the spot, allowing Sporting Lagos to retain their advantage.
Aliyu Baba eventually doubled Sporting’s lead in the 59th minute before Valentine Ogwu added a third in stoppage time to complete a convincing derby victory.
The result gives Sporting their first points of the campaign after losing their opening fixture 2-0 to Doma United. For Inter, however, it is a second defeat in three matches and leaves them without a point from their first three outings.
Bendel Insurance Bounce Back
Bendel Insurance responded strongly to their Matchday Two defeat to Nasarawa United by beating Kun Khalifat 4-2 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Alex Oweilayefa opened the scoring after five minutes before Suraju Lawal doubled the advantage in the 19th minute.
Chinedu Nwosu extended Insurance’s lead shortly after half-time and later completed his brace as the Benin Arsenal survived a late Kun Khalifat fightback.
Uchechukwu Onuoha converted a penalty in the 68th minute, while Oghenetega Ebetomame scored in the 85th minute, but Insurance had already done enough to secure all three points.
The victory takes Insurance to six points and keeps them firmly among the early pace-setters.
Kwara United Return to Winning Ways
Kwara United secured their first victory of the campaign with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Katsina United.
Ali Ferinyaro broke the deadlock in the 35th minute before Tosin Olawale doubled the advantage eight minutes after the restart.
Issa Gata completed the scoring in the 64th minute as Kwara United moved to four points after three matches.
The result represents a strong response to their 1-0 defeat away to Plateau United on Matchday Two.
Barau Leave It Late Against Ranchers
Barau produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the day, defeating Ranchers Bees 3-1 in Kano.
Ahmadu Liman gave Barau the lead in the 29th minute, but Ranchers levelled through Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu in the 80th minute.
With the game heading towards a draw, Barau struck twice in stoppage time.
Kennedy Otunuya restored the hosts’ lead in the 93rd minute before Sugau Aliyu converted a penalty one minute later to seal a 3-1 victory.
The result takes Barau to seven points, leaving them as Doma United’s closest challenger after three matches.
Abia Warriors, Ikorodu City Share Four Goals
Abia Warriors and Ikorodu City played out a 2-2 draw in Umuahia.
Emeka Obioma put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute, but Ilechukwu Junior quickly restored parity for Ikorodu City.
Obioma struck again in the 83rd minute to put Abia Warriors back in front, only for Akorede Adeoye to equalise late and secure a point for the visitors.
Rain Halts Niger Tornadoes, Plateau United
Niger Tornadoes and Plateau United were forced to settle for a suspended 1-1 scoreline after heavy rain disrupted proceedings.
Plateau United led 1-0 before Bashir Musa equalised for Tornadoes in the 84th minute.
The match was subsequently halted with six minutes of regulation time remaining. The outstanding period is scheduled to be completed at 8:30am on Monday, September 14, with added time also to be played.
The eventual outcome could have further implications for the upper half of the table, particularly for Plateau United, who currently have four points.
Doma United Establish Early Authority
The biggest story after Matchday Three remains Doma United’s remarkable start.
The newly promoted side entered the weekend as league leaders and strengthened their position by defeating Enyimba 2-0 on Saturday.
Having already beaten Sporting Lagos and Inter Lagos in their first two matches, Doma have now defeated three different opponents without conceding a goal in their opening three games. Their perfect nine-point haul gives them a five-point cushion over Barau.
More importantly, Doma’s early run has already changed the complexion of the title race. Rather than simply being viewed as a newly promoted side fighting for survival, the Savannah Tigers have emerged as the early benchmark for the rest of the division.
Barau’s late victory moved them to seven points, while Bendel Insurance’s win lifted them to six. Kwara United and Plateau United are among the teams on four points, meaning the gap at the top could quickly tighten once the outstanding fixtures are completed.
The early standings should nevertheless be treated with some caution because several clubs have played fewer matches due to continental commitments and postponed fixtures. Rangers, Rivers United and Shooting Stars are among the teams with games in hand.
For Enyimba, meanwhile, the defeat to Doma leaves the former champions without a point after their opening league fixture, although their campaign remains at an early stage.
What the Results Mean
Doma United lead the early table with nine points from three matches, maintaining a perfect record and a clean sheet in every game.
Barau follow on seven points, while Bendel Insurance have moved to six after their home victory.
Kwara United and Plateau United sit on four points, with the latter still having six minutes plus added time to complete against Niger Tornadoes.
Sporting Lagos’ derby victory moves them onto three points, while Inter Lagos remain without a point after three matches.
The early bottom of the table is also beginning to take shape, with Inter Lagos, Enyimba and Warri Wolves yet to register a point, although the number of matches played varies across the division because of postponements.
With several clubs still having outstanding fixtures, the table is far from settled. However, after three matchdays, Doma United have already established themselves as the team everyone else must chase.
NPFL 2026/27 Matchday Three Results
Doma United 2-0 Enyimba
Inter Lagos 0-3 Sporting Lagos
Bendel Insurance 4-2 Kun Khalifat
Kwara United 3-0 Katsina United
Barau 3-1 Ranchers Bees
Abia Warriors 2-2 Ikorodu City
Niger Tornadoes 1-1 Plateau United — suspended at 84′ till Monday morning due to heavy down
