Enugu Rangers are top of the Nigeria Premier Football League. The defending champions beat Bendel Insurance 1-0 on Wednesday. They followed with another 1-0 win over Kwara United on Sunday. Both clean sheets came against title rivals. Rangers now have 24 points from 11 matches. They lead Bendel Insurance by three points. Nasarawa United are third on 20.
Rangers won the league last season. It was their first title in decades. The club was founded in 1970. They won the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1977. Their form this season has been built on defence. They have conceded 10 goals in 11 matches. The tight margins reflect the NPFL’s competitive nature. Small clubs are rising. The former giants are struggling.
Rangers controlled both matches. The goals were enough. Bendel Insurance kept pace with a 2-1 win over Niger Tornadoes on Sunday. They sit second on 21 points. Nasarawa United produced the weekend’s standout result. They beat Plateau United 3-1. They are third on 20.
Barau edged Shooting Stars 1-0. They are fourth on 19. Kano Pillars drew 1-1 with Kun Khalifat. They are fifth on 19. Abia Warriors and Doma United drew 2-2. Warri Wolves and Katsina United drew 1-1. Ikorodu City and Inter Lagos drew 2-2.
Enyimba lost again. The nine-time champions fell 1-0 away to Ranchers Bees. They are 18th on 11 points. The club’s crisis continues. Abia Warriors are 19th on 11. Inter Lagos are bottom on four.
In the scoring charts, Chukwuemeka Obioma of Abia Warriors leads with seven goals. Luis Dadong of Katsina United has six. Kayode Oke Solomon of Bendel Insurance has five.
Winners: Enugu Rangers, who took control. Nasarawa United, who climbed to third. Bendel Insurance, who kept pace. Barau, who stayed in the top four. Chukwuemeka Obioma, who leads the golden boot race. Losers: Enyimba, who lost again. Abia Warriors, who drew and remain in the relegation zone. Inter Lagos, who remain bottom. Plateau United, who were beaten. Shooting Stars, who lost.
Bottom Line: Rangers lead the league. Enyimba are 18th. The defending champions are showing why they won last season. The former giants are showing why they are in trouble. The table is tight. Rangers have the edge. The season is long.