Ikorodu City defeated newly promoted Ranchers Bees 3-1 for a rare opening-day win to get things off to a start in the 2026/27 NPFL season, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Oga Boys, who first gained promotion to the topflight in 2024, have failed to win on the opening weekend in the two previous seasons, and when Chidozie Okorie bundled home a cross from Gabriel Sunday for the opening goal at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, it seemed the curse was going to continue.
However, goals from Umar Dan’Azumi, Abayomi Ayodeji and a late penalty goal from Salami Farouk ended that winless streak, with the visitors finishing the game with ten men following Okorie’s red card.
In the other games on Sunday, Kwara United came from a two-goal deficit to snatch a home draw against visiting Kano Pillars in Ilorin. Former United boy Shola Abdulraheem opened the scoring for the visitors before Rabiu Ali doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark. A minute after the break, Alex Jerry pulled one back before completing his brace deep into stoppage time for his side’s first point of the season.
Defending champions Rangers International, at their adopted home ground in Abeokuta, played out a 1-1 draw with Katsina United. Luis Dadong scored the opening goal after a gaffe from the Rangers goalkeeper before Chibueze Oputa snatched a late draw for the Flying Antelopes.
Meanwhile, Bendel Insurance defeated Warri Wolves 2-1 in the South-South derby in Benin. Eventus Itolowo opened the scoring for the Seasiders before Kayode Oke’s goal from the spot and Alex Oweilayefa’s early second-half strike won the game for Kennedy Boboye’s side. Similarly, Niger Tornadoes defeated Enyimba 2-1 in Minna. Aliyu Goyi and Michael Olalusi scored for Tornadoes while Wonah Williams scored for Enyimba.
In Kano, despite missing a penalty, Barau FC defeated Nasarawa United 3-1 to begin the season on a winning note. Joseph Atule, Al Amin Umar, and Sagau Aliyu scored for the Maliya Boys while Abubakar Abdullahi scored the visitors’ only goal. In Gombe, ten-man Sporting Lagos also fell 2-0 to Doma United, with goals from Sadiq Rilwan and Daniel Simon.
Thanks to first-half strikes from Abdulrasheed Dabai and Wasiu Falolu, Rivers United defeated Plateau United 2-0 in Port Harcourt. Meanwhile, the game between Abia Warriors and Kun Khalifat was put on hold in the 73rd minute due to heavy downpour. The remaining minutes of the goalless encounter will be completed on Monday.
Shooting Stars registered an opening-day win against Inter Lagos on Friday to usher in the new campaign.
