Rangers International strengthened their position at the summit of the EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League, while Barau FC suffered their first defeat of the season in emphatic fashion as Matchday 7 delivered significant movement at both ends of the table.

Rangers maintained their unbeaten start with a 3-1 victory over Abia Warriors in Enugu, taking their points tally to 16 from seven matches.

The occasion belonged partly to Godwin Obaje, who was recognised before kick-off for reaching 100 NPFL career goals. The Rangers striker then celebrated the milestone by scoring his 101st league goal in the 37th minute.

Chidiebere Nwobodo doubled Rangers’ advantage in the 49th minute before Abia Warriors reduced the deficit through Emeka Obioma’s 53rd-minute penalty. Akorode Daniel restored Rangers’ two-goal cushion in stoppage time to complete another important victory for the league leaders.

Rangers now sit one point clear of Rivers United, who strengthened their challenge with a 2-0 win over Ikorodu City. Samson Olasupo opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Chinemerem Ugwueze struck in first-half stoppage time.

Doma United climbed to third after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Warri Wolves, with Joshua Abah scoring the decisive goal in the 81st minute.

Barau’s unbeaten run ends in devastating fashion

Barau FC’s impressive unbeaten start came to a crashing end in Benin, where Bendel Insurance dismantled the league’s previously unbeaten side 4-1.

Kayode Oke was the architect of Insurance’s emphatic victory, scoring in the 33rd and 78th minutes. Suraju Lawal added a third in the 86th minute before Jonathan James completed the rout in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Barau’s only response came from Aliyu Sugau, who converted an 82nd-minute penalty, but it proved little more than consolation.

The defeat was particularly damaging for Barau, who entered Matchday 7 among the leading contenders and unbeaten in their opening six matches. They now sit fourth on 12 points, with Bendel Insurance moving into the top five on the same tally but with an inferior position determined by the standings.

Enyimba’s revival gathers pace

Enyimba continued their remarkable recovery with a 2-0 victory over Plateau United, recording consecutive league wins after a troubled opening to the season.

Ifeanyi Ihemekwele put the Aba side ahead in the 29th minute before Richard Ezinna doubled the advantage in the 68th minute.

The victory moves Enyimba to 7 points, providing further relief after their early struggles and strengthening their push away from the relegation battle.

Kwara United also came from behind to defeat Ranchers Bees 2-1. Jamilu Yusuf put the visitors ahead in the seventh minute, but Toheeb Gidado levelled five minutes after the restart before Stephen Gideon completed Kwara’s comeback in the 77th minute.

At the lower end of the table, Niger Tornadoes secured a vital 1-0 win over Kun Khalifat, with Ismaila Sarki scoring in the 82nd minute.

There was little to separate Shooting Stars and Nasarawa United in Ibadan as the sides settled for a 0-0 draw, while Inter Lagos and Katsina United also shared the points following a 1-1 draw.

Nura Abdulbari gave Katsina United the lead in the 34th minute, but Kevwe Iyede restored parity for Inter Lagos eight minutes later.

With seven matches completed for most clubs, Rangers lead the standings on 19 points, followed by Rivers United on 18 and Doma United on 16. The battle behind the leaders remains tightly contested, while Barau’s first defeat and Enyimba’s back-to-back victories have added fresh intrigue to both ends of the table.

EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 7 Results at a Glance

• Rangers 3-1 Abia Warriors — Godwin Obaje 37′, Chidiebere Nwobodo 49′, Akorode Daniel 90+’ — Emeka Obioma 53′ (pen)
• Rivers United 2-0 Ikorodu City — Samson Olasupo 19′, Chinemerem Ugwueze 45+1′
• Doma United 1-0 Warri Wolves — Joshua Abah 81′
• Bendel Insurance 4-1 Barau FC — Kayode Oke 33′, 78′, Suraju Lawal 86′, Jonathan James 90+4′ — Aliyu Sugau 82′ (pen)
• Enyimba 2-0 Plateau United — Ifeanyi Ihemekwele 29′, Richard Ezinna 68′
• Kwara United 2-1 Ranchers Bees — Jamilu Yusuf 7′ — Toheeb Gidado 50′, Stephen Gideon 77′
• Inter Lagos 1-1 Katsina United — Kevwe Iyede 42′ — Nura Abdulbari 34′
• Shooting Stars 0-0 Nasarawa United
• Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Kun Khalifat — Ismaila Sarki 82′