Late drama, giant killings and four-star thrillers light up Matchday 26 in the Nigeria Professional Football League

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye 
 
 
 
Shockwaves, stalemates and statement wins defined Matchday 26 of the Nigeria Professional Football League as the title race tightened and the survival battle grew fiercer across the country.

Barau FC edged Kun Khalifat 1-0 in a nervy contest settled by a lone strike, while El-Kanemi matched that scoreline with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Plateau, grinding out three precious points.

The biggest upset of the day came in Aba, where nine-time champions Enyimba were stunned 1-0 at home by a fearless Ikorodu City side. 

Calm, compact and clinical, Ikorodu snatched maximum points to shake up the standings.

In Ikenne, leaders Remo Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by resilient Abia Warriors, leaving the door slightly ajar for chasing rivals.

Former champions Rangers International made a bold statement with a commanding 2-0 win over Wikki Tourists, keeping their momentum alive in the race for continental spots.

It was frustration in Yenagoa as Bayelsa United and Bendel Insurance battled to a goalless draw, neither side able to find the cutting edge.

Kwara United and Kano Pillars shared the spoils in a 1-1 encounter, while Katsina United secured a narrow 1-0 triumph over Nasarawa United to boost their survival hopes.

The performance of the day belonged to Shooting Stars. Shooting Stars SC lit up Ibadan with a ruthless 4-1 demolition of Wolves, delivering a four-star display that sent a clear warning to the rest of the league.

With just weeks left in the campaign, Matchday 26 has tightened the screws at both ends of the table. 

The title chase is heating up, the relegation scrap is turning brutal and in the NPFL, every point now feels like gold.

NPFL MATCHDAY 26 UPDATES

Full Time:
Barau FC 1-0 Kun Khalifat 
El-Kanemi 1-0 Plateau 
Enyimba 0-1 Ikorodu City 
Remo Stars 1-1 Abia
Rangers 2- 0 Wikki
Bayelsa Utd 0-0 Insurance 
Kwara Utd 1- 1 Pillars 
Katsina Utd 1-0 Nasarawa
3SC 4-1 Warri Wolves

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