Plateau United delivered the standout result of Matchday 8 with a 4-0 thrashing of Kano Pillars in Jos. Paul Samson opened the scoring after three minutes. Ekundayo Ojo doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time. Samuel Ayanrinde added a third in the 82nd minute. Nenrot Silas converted a penalty in the 90th minute to complete the rout. The result lifted Plateau United to 14 points and third place.
The NPFL season is eight matches old. Rangers International lead the table. They won the title last season. Rivers United are unbeaten. Kano Pillars were among the early pacesetters. Their defeat to Plateau United ended an unbeaten run. The league is competitive at the top. Small clubs are rising. Former champions are struggling. Enyimba remain bottom. Barau FC, a newly promoted side, are fourth. The table is upside down.
Rangers needed a late equaliser to preserve their position at the top. They drew 2-2 with Barau FC in Kano. Ifeanyi Okechukwu put Rangers ahead in the 38th minute. Joseph Atule equalised from the penalty spot in the 56th. Aliyu Sugau converted another penalty 12 minutes later to give Barau the lead. Chidiebere Nwobodo scored in the 90th minute to secure a point. Rangers moved to 17 points from eight matches. Rivers United are second on 16 points after a 0-0 draw with Abia Warriors.
Sporting Lagos came from behind to defeat Bendel Insurance 2-1. Kayode Oke scored after 18 seconds for Insurance. Victor Samuel equalised in the 14th minute. Gafar Olaniyan completed the comeback eight minutes later. Ikorodu City beat Kwara United 2-0. Nasarawa United defeated Doma United 2-0. Katsina United beat Enyimba 4-2.
Winners: Plateau United, who produced the round’s best result. Rangers, who stayed top. Rivers United, who remained unbeaten. Sporting Lagos, who fought back. Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United and Katsina United, who won. Losers: Kano Pillars, who were thrashed. Barau FC, who dropped two points. Bendel Insurance, who lost after leading. Enyimba, who lost again. Kwara United and Doma United, who were beaten.
Bottom Line: Plateau thrashed Pillars. Rangers drew but stayed top. Rivers United remain unbeaten. Eight matches in, the table is tight. The title race is between Rangers and Rivers United. The relegation battle is between Enyimba and Kun Khalifat. The season is long.