By NewsNexus Sports Desk

Rangers International maintained their position at the summit of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table after Matchday 7, while Rivers United continued their unbeaten start to the campaign and Enyimba recorded another important victory.

The latest round of fixtures produced 22 goals across 10 matches, with home teams dominating proceedings. Seven matches ended in home victories, while three produced draws, with no away side recording a win.

Rangers remain top with 16 points from seven matches, followed closely by Rivers United on 15 points. Doma United occupy third position with 13 points.

RANGERS STRENGTHEN GRIP ON TOP SPOT

Rangers defeated Abia Warriors 3–1 to retain their place at the top of the table.

Godwin Obaje opened the scoring before Chidiebere Nwobodo doubled the advantage early in the second half. Chukwuemeka Obioma converted a penalty for Abia Warriors, but Rangers restored their two-goal advantage late in the match.

The victory further strengthened Rangers’ title credentials, while Obaje’s contribution added another chapter to his growing NPFL legacy.

The Rangers forward recently joined the league’s 100-goal club, placing him among the competition’s notable all-time goalscorers.

With 16 points from seven matches, Rangers currently lead the title race by one point.

RIVERS UNITED REMAIN UNBEATEN

Rivers United continued their impressive campaign with a 2–0 victory over Ikorodu City.

Samson Olasupo opened the scoring before Chinemerem Ugwueze doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time.

The result moved Rivers United to 15 points, just one behind Rangers.

More importantly, Rivers remain the only unbeaten team after seven matches, with four victories and three draws.

Their +11 goal difference is also the best in the league, underlining the strength of their campaign.

The performance has positioned Rivers United as one of the strongest early challengers to Rangers at the top of the table.

INSURANCE END BARAU’S UNBEATEN RUN

One of the biggest stories of Matchday 7 came in Benin City, where Bendel Insurance produced a commanding 4–1 victory over Barau FC.

The result ended Barau’s unbeaten start to the season and demonstrated Insurance’s attacking strength.

Kayode Oke was the standout performer, scoring twice, while Suraju Lawal and Jonathan James also found the net.

Barau FC could only manage one response from the penalty spot.

The emphatic victory moved Bendel Insurance to 12 points and sent a strong warning to the rest of the league.

ENYIMBA BEGIN TO FIND THEIR RHYTHM

Enyimba continued their recovery with a 2–0 victory over Plateau United.

Ifeanyi Ihemekwele opened the scoring before Enyimba added a second goal in the second half.

The victory was particularly significant because it followed another win over Shooting Stars, giving the Aba giants back-to-back victories after a difficult start to the campaign.

Enyimba now have seven points and will hope the latest results mark the beginning of a sustained revival.

DOMA UNITED KEEP PRESSURE ON LEADERS

Doma United maintained their impressive position in the upper part of the table after a narrow 1–0 victory over Warri Wolves.

The Gombe-based side dominated much of the encounter and eventually secured all three points with a late goal.

Doma now have 13 points from seven matches and remain third in the standings.

Their performance has made them one of the early surprises of the campaign.

KANO PILLARS STILL UNBEATEN BUT DRAWING TOO OFTEN

Kano Pillars and Sporting Lagos played out a 1–1 draw.

Sporting Lagos took the lead before Pillars responded in the second half.

Although Kano Pillars remain unbeaten, the result highlighted a growing concern: the club is accumulating draws rather than victories.

Pillars have four draws from six matches and sit seventh with 10 points, while still having a game in hand.

The challenge for the Kano side will be turning some of those draws into victories if they are to challenge the leading teams.

KWARA UNITED COMPLETE COMEBACK

Kwara United came from behind to defeat Ranchers Bees 2–1.

Ranchers Bees took an early lead, but Kwara United fought back in the second half before completing the comeback with the winning goal late in the match.

The victory lifted Kwara United to 10 points.

The encounter also produced a major disciplinary incident, with Ranchers Bees reduced to 10 men after a second yellow card.

TORNADOES EDGE KUN KHALIFAT

Niger Tornadoes secured a valuable 1–0 victory over Kun Khalifat through a late goal.

The result lifted Tornadoes to eight points, while Kun Khalifat remained on five points.

With the season still relatively young, the match could prove important in the relegation battle as the campaign progresses.

SHOOTING STARS HELD BY NASARAWA UNITED

Shooting Stars were unable to turn their possession advantage into goals as they settled for a goalless draw against Nasarawa United.

The Ibadan club controlled much of the possession and created more opportunities but lacked the finishing required to claim all three points.

The result leaves Shooting Stars on seven points from six matches.

INTER LAGOS, KATSINA UNITED SHARE POINTS

Inter Lagos and Katsina United played out a 1–1 draw.

The result leaves Inter Lagos struggling near the bottom of the table with five points from seven matches.

Katsina United moved to nine points and remain in mid-table.

For Inter Lagos, the search for a second victory of the campaign continues.

THE TABLE AFTER MATCHDAY 7

Rangers lead the table with 16 points, followed by Rivers United on 15 and Doma United on 13.

Barau FC and Bendel Insurance have 12 points each, while Plateau United have 11.

At the other end, Inter Lagos and Kun Khalifat occupy the bottom two positions with five points each.

The current standings suggest that the title race is already beginning to take shape, while the relegation battle could also become increasingly competitive.

WHAT MATCHDAY 7 REVEALED

Matchday 7 provided several important indicators about the season.

Rangers remain the team to beat. Their position at the top confirms the champions’ consistency.

Rivers United are the early title threat. Their unbeaten record and +11 goal difference make them particularly impressive.

Bendel Insurance have made a statement. Their 4–1 demolition of Barau demonstrated that they can compete with the leading sides.

Enyimba are recovering. Two consecutive victories have revived hopes of a stronger campaign.

Kano Pillars need more wins. Remaining unbeaten is positive, but four draws from six matches indicate that the team must become more decisive.

The relegation battle is already taking shape. Inter Lagos and Kun Khalifat have five points each, while several clubs immediately above them remain within touching distance.

MATCHDAY 7 BY THE NUMBERS

10 — Matches played

22 — Goals scored

7 — Home victories

3 — Draws

0 — Away victories

5 — Clean sheets

4–1 — Biggest victory, Bendel Insurance over Barau FC

16 — Rangers’ points

15 — Rivers United’s points

11 — Rivers United’s positive goal difference

5 — Points each for Inter Lagos and Kun Khalifat

NEWSNEXUS VERDICT

The seventh round of the NPFL season has strengthened Rangers’ position at the top but has also made it clear that the champions are unlikely to have an easy title defence.

Rivers United remain within one point and are yet to taste defeat, while Doma United continue to surprise in third position.

Further down the table, Bendel Insurance’s demolition of Barau FC has added another dimension to the competition, while Enyimba’s consecutive victories suggest that the traditional giants may be beginning to recover.

With the season still developing, the biggest question is whether Rangers can maintain their advantage or whether Rivers United, Doma United, Bendel Insurance and the other chasing clubs can turn the early title race into a much tighter contest.

For now, Rangers remain kings of the table — but the challengers are closing in.