Rangers extend NPFL lead to three points after Matchday 12 wins across Nigeria
Rangers International strengthened their grip on the NPFL summit with a 1-0 win over Kwara United at Awka Township Stadium, Victor Chimezie's 40th-minute goal moving the Flying Antelopes to 24 points from 11 matches. Bendel Insurance kept pace with a dramatic 2-1 comeback over Niger Tornadoes in Benin—Jonathan Mairiga and John Taiwo overturning Aliyu Mohammed's early penalty—to reach 21 points from 12 games.
Barau FC edged Shooting Stars 1-0 in Kano via Olakunle Akala's 9th-minute own goal, drawing level on 19 points with Kano Pillars (who drew 1-1 with Kun Khalifat Friday). Ranchers Bees deepened Enyimba's crisis with a 1-0 win in Minna, Chiedozie Jude Okorie's 42nd-minute strike leaving the People's Elephant on just 11 points from 12 matches. Abia Warriors and Doma United shared a 2-2 thriller in Aba, while Warri Wolves and Katsina United drew 1-1.
Rangers now lead by three points with a game in hand over second-placed Insurance. Nasarawa United sit third on 20 points. The Matchday 12 programme concludes Monday with a Lagos derby—Ikorodu City host bottom-placed Inter Lagos at Mobolaji Johnson Arena—while Sporting Lagos vs Rivers United has been postponed.
With Rangers' game in hand and Enyimba struggling in 18th, is the title race already shaping into a two-horse contest between the Flying Antelopes and Bendel Insurance, or can Nasarawa United and the Kano duo gatecrash the party?