…as Ikorodu City beat Ranchers 3-1 in Lagos
The Nigeria Premier Football League returned fully yesterday with champions Rangers relying on a last minute own goal to secure a point in their first game of the 2026/2027 season at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu.
Lewis Dadong took the lead in the first half and it took some profligacy in front of goal to keep Rangers in the game with the coach of the team, Fidelis Ilechukwu making four changes at a go in the second half as they continue to find a way pass their opponent in front of their fans.
With Katsina already looking at the maximum points, an own goal by goalkeeper Francis Koroma with almost the last kick of the game turned the table with the home team heaving a sigh of relief with the one point as the game ended 1-1.
Also in Ilorin, Kano Pillars will rue their luck after letting go of a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw against Kwara United in Ilorin in first competitive game for their new coach, Daniel Ogunmodede.
Shola Abdulraheem gave the visitors the lead in the 12th minute with ageless midfielder, Rabiu Ali, making it 2-0 in the 30th minute with the first half ending 2-0.
Kwara United returned with vigour in the second half and halved the deficit with a goal with just two minutes into the half through Alex Jerry.
All efforts by the home side to equalized proved abortive and with five minutes additional time, The Sai Masu Gida were on the verge of securing the first away Victory of the new season but we’re left undone with Alex Jerry second goal and Kwara United equaliser in the last minute of the five added time to send the home crowd into wild jubilation.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, Ikorodu City were too hot for newly promoted Ranchers Bees after trashing their opponent 4-1 at the Onikan Stadium.
Ranchers with a shocking lead against the run of play in the 7th minute of the game but the home side recovered to equalized in the 30th minute through a belter from Umar Dan’Azumi.
The home side took the lead with the last kick of the first half when Abayomi Ayodeji bends it into the bottom corner just before the break to take a 2-1 lead into the half time.
The comeback was completed when the skipper, Salami Farouk, sends the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after a player handed the ball in the box as they started the campaign with a 3-1 win.
Other games played saw Rivers United winning 2-0 at home against Plateau United while In Kano, FC Barau came from a goal down against Nasarawa United to secure a 3-1 win.
It was an opening day of coming from behind with Insurance also coming from behind against Warri Wolves to secure a 2-1 win in Benin.
