The 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, campaign produced another eventful weekend as Matchday 4 delivered seven results, including three away victories and the first defeat of the season for early leaders Doma United, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Defending champions Rangers International bounced back in style with a 4-2 victory over Kun Khalifat FC in the Oriental Derby, while Enyimba's difficult start continued as they suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Inter Lagos.
The Aba-based giants are now without a point after four matches, having lost all four of their opening fixtures.
Inter Lagos claimed one of the weekend's biggest results at the Enyimba Stadium, with Ezekiel Moses scoring the only goal of the game in the 18th minute to secure the visitors' second win of the campaign.
The defeat leaves nine-time champions Enyimba at the bottom of the 20-team standings, with their early-season struggles becoming one of the major talking points in the league.
Rangers bounce back with four-goal win
Rangers International delivered an impressive response after a difficult start to their title defence, defeating Kun Khalifat FC 4-2 in an entertaining Oriental Derby.
Preye Seikorowei, Ayuba Umar, Temitope Folarin and Waheed Adebayo found the net for the Flying Antelopes, while Chimobi Igwilo scored twice for the home side.
The victory moved Rangers into the group of teams competing near the top of the early standings and provided a significant boost to their title defence.
Doma United beaten in Kano
Doma United's unbeaten start came to an end at the Sani Abacha Stadium as Kano Pillars secured a convincing 4-1 victory.
Abdullahi Musa opened the scoring for the hosts in the 20th minute before captain Rabiu Ali doubled their advantage 13 minutes later.
Ahmed Musa added a third in the 77th minute, while Nasiru Salihu completed the scoring for the home side.
Despite the heavy defeat, Doma United remain top of the table with nine points from four matches. Kano Pillars, meanwhile, moved onto seven points and strengthened their position among the early contenders.
Abia Warriors shock Sporting Lagos
Abia Warriors picked up their first victory of the season with a 2-0 away success against Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
The visitors had to wait until the closing stages before breaking the deadlock, with Ikoi Etta putting Abia Warriors ahead in the 88th minute.
Emeka Obioma then added a second goal in stoppage time to complete an important victory for the visitors.
Plateau United continue strong start
Plateau United maintained their impressive beginning to the campaign with a 3-1 win over Shooting Stars at the New Jos Stadium.
Shooting Stars took the lead in the 15th minute, but Jibrin Ibrahim restored parity five minutes after the restart.
Seiyefa Jackson then completed the turnaround for Plateau United before Gideon Monday added a third goal late in the game.
The result moved Plateau United onto seven points from four matches.
Warri Wolves edge Kwara United
Warri Wolves secured their second victory of the campaign after defeating Kwara United 1-0 on home soil.
Ejike Ezekiel struck as early as the eighth minute, and the early goal proved enough to give the hosts all three points.
Nasarawa United rescue point against Rivers United
Nasarawa United fought back late to secure a 1-1 draw against Rivers United in Lafia.
Rivers United looked set to leave with maximum points before Musa Yakubu converted an 84th-minute penalty to rescue a point for the home side.
The result kept both teams within the upper half of the early standings.
Katsina United defeat Niger Tornadoes
Katsina United also claimed a narrow home victory, edging Niger Tornadoes 1-0 to continue their positive start to the season.
The result further underlined the competitive nature of the opening weeks, with several clubs separated by only a small number of points after four rounds of matches.
Doma United remain at the summit despite their defeat in Kano, while Rangers International, Kano Pillars and Plateau United are among the teams pushing closely behind.
At the other end of the table, Enyimba's four-match losing streak has left them with plenty of work to do, while the weekend's away victories demonstrated how difficult it has become for teams to rely solely on home advantage.
NPFL Matchday 4 Results
- Kano Pillars 4-1 Doma United
- Enyimba 0-1 Inter Lagos
- Kun Khalifat 2-4 Enugu Rangers
- Nasarawa United 1-1 Rivers United
- Plateau United 3-1 Shooting Stars
- Sporting Lagos 0-2 Abia Warriors
- Warri Wolves 1-0 Kwara United
- Ranchers Bees 2-1 Bendel Insurance
- Ikorodu City 0-0 Barau
- Kastina United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Oluwayemi Omolagba