The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) served up another gripping round of fixtures as matchday 20 wrapped up with tight games, surprise away wins, and key results at both ends of the table.
A total of 10 matches were played across Wednesday and Thursday, producing just 13 goals — a clear sign of the league’s growing tactical edge.
At the top, Rivers United remain in control with a four-point cushion.
NPFL Matchday 20: Tight Games Across All Centres
Abia Warriors 1-1 Plateau United
Abia Warriors and Plateau United shared the spoils in Umuahia after an entertaining contest.
Saka Gafar gave Plateau United an early lead in the eighth minute, but Emeka Obioma restored parity for the hosts before the half-hour mark.
Kwara United 0-1 Bendel Insurance
Bendel Insurance picked up a crucial away win in Ilorin.
Emmanuel Akpan struck eight minutes before the break to hand the visitors all three points in this NPFL Matchday 20 clash.
Nasarawa United 0-1 Kano Pillars
Kano Pillars boosted their survival hopes with a narrow win on the road.
Chiedozie Okorie scored the decisive goal as the Sai Masu Gida continued their fight against relegation in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Rangers Int’l 0-0 Rivers United
League leaders Rivers United held Rangers to a goalless draw at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The result keeps Rivers United top of the NPFL standings and four points clear.
Remo Stars 1-0 Ikorodu City
Defending champions Remo Stars edged Ikorodu City in a keenly contested South West derby.
Haruna Hadi’s strike proved decisive as the Sky Blue Stars claimed maximum points.
Shooting Stars 3-0 Enyimba
Shooting Stars delivered one of the standout performances of NPFL Matchday 20, brushing aside Enyimba in Ibadan.
Lucky Emmanuel opened the scoring before second-half goals from Sodiq Ibrahim and Qamar Adegoke sealed an emphatic win.
Wikki Tourists 0-1 Warri Wolves
Warri Wolves secured an important away victory in Bauchi.
Ezekiel Oroh’s 59th-minute effort was enough to sink Wikki Tourists.
Barau FC 2-1 Niger Tornadoes
Barau FC continued their push away from the drop zone with a shock win over Niger Tornadoes.
Uche Moses and Mohammed Umar scored for the hosts before Clinton Jephta pulled one back for the visitors.
El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 Bayelsa United
El-Kanemi Warriors deepened Bayelsa United’s relegation worries with a slim home win in Maiduguri.
Daddy Abdulrahman’s early strike settled the encounter.
Katsina United 2-0 Kun Khalifat
Katsina United produced a solid second-half display to beat struggling newcomers Kun Khalifat.
Jamilu Yusuf scored twice to secure the points.
Nigeria Premier Football League Standings After Matchday 20
Top of the Table
Rivers United – 38
Abia Warriors – 34
Ikorodu City – 32
Shooting Stars – 32
Nasarawa United – 32
Bottom of the Table
Bayelsa United – 23
Kano Pillars – 22
Plateau United – 20
Kun Khalifat – 18
Full NPFL Matchday 20 Results
Barau FC 2-1 Niger Tornadoes
Shooting Stars 3-0 Enyimba
Remo Stars 1-0 Ikorodu City
Abia Warriors 1-1 Plateau United
Rangers 0-0 Rivers United
Kwara United 0-1 Bendel Insurance
Wikki Tourists 0-1 Warri Wolves
Nasarawa United 0-1 Kano Pillars
El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 Bayelsa United
Katsina United 2-0 Kun Khalifat