Rivers United regain top spot in NPFL title race as Rangers pick huge point in Minna
Rivers United have returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) standings following a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Plateau United, as the title race intensified with just a few matches left in the 2025/26 season. The decisive encounter, played on Sunday, saw Rivers United edge their opponents courtesy of an early goal from Wisdom Samuel, who struck in the 11th minute to secure all three points. The narrow win was enough to lift the Port Harcourt-based side back to the summit of the league table with 58 points, underlining their strong push for another league title.
The result marked a crucial moment in the title race, as Rivers United capitalised on the slip of their closest challengers, Rangers International FC. The Enugu-based side were held to a goalless draw by Niger Tornadoes in Minna, a result that left them just two points behind the leaders.
Despite failing to secure maximum points, Rangers’ away draw keeps them firmly in contention, maintaining pressure on Rivers United as the season approaches its climax. Analysts say the title race remains wide open, with only a slim margin separating the top contenders.
Meanwhile, Ikorodu City FC delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend, boosting their continental ambitions with a commanding 3–0 victory over Kano Pillars.
Joseph Arumala opened the scoring in the 28th minute, registering his 12th goal of the campaign, before Tosin Oyedokun doubled the lead in the 70th minute. Abayomi Ayodeji added the third late in the game to seal an emphatic win for the Lagos-based club. The victory moved Ikorodu City to 55 points, strengthening their bid for a continental ticket in what has been an impressive season for the relatively new top-flight side.
Elsewhere, results across the league continued to shape both the title race and relegation battle, with several teams still fighting for survival as the campaign nears its conclusion.
The NPFL, Nigeria’s top-tier football competition, has seen heightened competition this season, with multiple clubs vying for continental qualification spots and others battling to avoid the drop.
Rivers United hold a slender advantage at the top, but with only a handful of matches remaining, the race for the title and continental qualification remains finely poised.