Rivers United Go Top as NPFL Battle Heats Up
Last update: April 13, 2026
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Rivers United return to NPFL summit after 1-0 win as title race tightens with Rangers close behind...
Rivers United returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table after a narrow 1-0 victory over Plateau United, as Matchday 34 produced major twists in both the title race and relegation battle.
CBI News reports that Wisdom Samuel scored as early as the 11th minute to secure the crucial win, lifting the Port Harcourt side to 58 points and back to the summit.
Close rivals Rangers International remained within striking distance despite being held to a goalless draw by Niger Tornadoes in Minna, leaving them two points behind the leaders.
Ikorodu City delivered one of the standout performances of the round, thrashing Kano Pillars 3-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Joseph Arumala opened the scoring in the 28th minute with his 12th goal of the season, before Tosin Oyedokun doubled the lead in the 70th minute.
Abayomi Ayodeji sealed the emphatic win late on, moving the Lagos side to third place on 55 points as they push for a continental ticket in just their second season.
At the bottom of the table, the relegation fight intensified.
Shooting Stars were held to a 0-0 draw by Kwara United, a result that lifted the Ilorin club out of the drop zone into 16th place.
Defending champions Remo Stars suffered a major setback, losing 2-1 to Barau FC in Kano.
Haruna Hadi gave Remo the lead in the 63rd minute, but Joseph Atule equalised shortly after, before Joseph Kemin completed the comeback in the 83rd minute.
The defeat leaves Remo Stars in 19th position.
Enyimba boosted their survival hopes with a comfortable 3-0 win over Katsina United in Aba.
Stanley Dimgba opened the scoring, Chidera Michael added a second, and Wonah Williams wrapped up the victory in the 79th minute, pushing the nine-time champions up to 12th with 43 points.
Wikki Tourists recorded the only away win of the round, edging Bayelsa United 1-0 in Yenagoa thanks to Imamu Bala’s 67th-minute strike.
Bottom-placed Kun Khalifat kept their survival hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over Nigerian National League Wolves.
Mmesoma Nnorom scored early, while Uchechukwu Onuoha netted twice late on.
Despite the win, they remain at the bottom with 39 points.
Just above them, Remo Stars, Wikki Tourists, Bayelsa United, and Kwara United are all tied on 40 points, highlighting the intense battle to avoid relegation, with four teams set to drop.
Matchday 34 concludes later on April 13, with El-Kanemi Warriors set to host Nasarawa United in Maiduguri.
