Rivers United are back on top of the Nigeria Premier Football League. They drew 0-0 with Barau FC on Monday. The point took them to 17 from nine matches. Enugu Rangers also have 17 points from eight matches. Rivers United lead on goal difference. Their goal difference is plus 11. Rangers are plus five. The title race is tight.
Rivers United have never won the NPFL. They have come close. In 2022, they finished second. In 2023, they reached the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals. The club has invested in its squad. The defence is the foundation. They have conceded just two goals in nine matches. That is the best record in the league. Seven clean sheets. A title challenge is built on that.
The match against Barau was a stalemate. Barau are the early pacesetters. They have drawn five of their nine matches. They sit fifth on 14 points. Rivers United could not break them down. The point was enough to reclaim first place.
Sporting Lagos climbed to third. They beat Plateau United 3-2 in Jos. The win took them to 15 points. Plateau United are fourth on 14. Enugu Rangers dropped to second despite their unbeaten start to the season. They lost ground because their fixture against Bendel Insurance was rescheduled due to continental duty. They have a game in hand. That game could decide the summit.
At the bottom, Enyimba are 18th. The nine-time champions drew 0-0 with Warri Wolves. They have eight points from nine matches. Ranchers Bees are 19th on eight points. Inter Lagos are 20th on five. Shooting Stars beat Ranchers Bees 3-1. Niger Tornadoes beat Ikorodu City 2-1.
Winners: Rivers United, who return to the summit. Sporting Lagos, who climb to third. Shooting Stars, who won at home. Niger Tornadoes, who secured three points. Losers: Enugu Rangers, who dropped to second. Plateau United, who lost at home. Enyimba, who remain in the relegation zone. Ranchers Bees, who lost. Inter Lagos, who remain bottom.
Bottom Line: Rivers United lead on goal difference. Rangers have a game in hand. The race is close. The defence is the difference. Nine matches in, no one is running away with it.