Enyimba have stopped the rot. The nine-time NPFL champions earned their first point of the season on Sunday. They held Kano Pillars to a goalless draw in Kano. It was not a win. It was not a loss. It was progress. Enyimba remain bottom of the table with one point from five matches. But the bleeding has stopped.
Enyimba are Nigeria’s most decorated club. They won the CAF Champions League in 2003 and 2004. They have won the domestic league a record nine times. This season has been a disaster. They lost their first four matches. They scored three goals and conceded eight. Police arrested their stadium manager during training last week. Players protested. The boardroom fight continues. The club is in crisis. The draw in Kano is a small reprieve.
Matchday 6 delivered major shifts. Barau FC remain top. The newly promoted side held Sporting Lagos to a 1-1 draw. They have 12 points from six matches. They are unbeaten. Three wins, three draws. A debutant leads the league.
Rivers United are second on 11 points. They drew 0-0 with Ranchers Bees. They have a game in hand. Their goal difference is plus nine. Plateau United joined them on 11 points. They beat Inter Lagos 2-0 at home. Enugu Rangers are fourth on 10 points. They lost 2-0 to Ikorodu City. Doma United also have 10 points. They lost 2-1 to Katsina United.
Abia Warriors produced the biggest win of the round. They defeated Bendel Insurance 3-0 in Umuahia. Kun Khalifat earned their first win of the campaign. They beat Kwara United 1-0. Nasarawa United beat Niger Tornadoes 1-0. Warri Wolves beat Shooting Stars 1-0.
In the scoring charts, Zilkifilu Rabiu of Ranchers Bees leads with five goals. Alex Oweilayefa of Bendel Insurance and Chukwuemeka Obioma of Abia Warriors follow with three each. Red cards were issued to Abraham Idakwo of Sporting Lagos, Ahmed Kabeer Yallilo of Katsina United and Emmanuel Mighty of Kwara United.
Kano Pillars and Rivers United lead the league in scoring efficiency. Both average 2.0 goals per match. Both lead set-piece goals with 10 each. Rivers United have the strongest defence. They concede just 0.2 goals per match. They have four clean sheets.
Winners: Barau FC, who stay top. Rivers United, who keep pace. Plateau United, who climb. Abia Warriors, who produced the round’s best performance. Kun Khalifat, who won for the first time. Enyimba, who stopped losing. Losers: Enugu Rangers, who lost to Ikorodu City. Doma United, who fell to Katsina United. Bendel Insurance, who were thrashed. Inter Lagos, who remain 19th. Kwara United, who lost to the bottom club.
Bottom Line: Barau lead the league. They are newly promoted. Enyimba are bottom. They are nine-time champions. The NPFL does not care about history. It counts points. Six matches in, the table is upside down.