The 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season produced another dramatic weekend as Enyimba suffered a third consecutive defeat, while Kano Pillars handed Doma United their first loss of the campaign.
Inter Lagos secured a historic 1-0 victory over Enyimba in Aba, while Kano Pillars produced one of the weekend’s biggest results with a 4-1 win against Doma United at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Despite the heavy defeat, Doma United remain top of the table with nine points from four matches. Kano Pillars, meanwhile, moved up to third with seven points from three games.
Enyimba’s difficult start to the new campaign continued as they fell to a 1-0 home defeat against newly promoted Inter Lagos.
Ezekiel Moses scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute after Inter Lagos capitalised on a defensive mix-up.
The Aba giants pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way past the visitors, who held on for their first-ever NPFL victory.
The defeat leaves Enyimba as the only team yet to pick up a point after three matches. The nine-time champions sit at the bottom of the 20-team table with a goal difference of -4.
For Inter Lagos, the victory provided a major boost after they had lost their previous match against city rivals Sporting Lagos.
Kano Pillars produced an impressive performance in Kano, defeating previously unbeaten Doma United 4-1.
Abdullahi Musa opened the scoring in the 19th minute before captain Rabiu Ali doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute.
Doma United responded after the break, with Sadiq Rilwan heading home in the 53rd minute to reduce the deficit.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser but were eventually punished when Ahmed Musa restored Kano Pillars’ two-goal advantage in the 77th minute.
Nasiru Salihu added a fourth goal in stoppage time to complete the victory, the result ended Doma United’s run of three straight wins without conceding a goal.
However, their strong start means they remain at the top of the standings on nine points, Kano Pillars have seven points from three matches and remain with a game in hand.
Plateau United also enjoyed a strong home victory, defeating Shooting Stars 3-1 in Jos, shooting Stars took the lead in the 15th minute, but Plateau United responded after half-time.
Jibrin Ibrahim equalised five minutes after the restart before Seiyefa Jackson put the hosts ahead.
Gideon Monday then sealed the three points in the 86th minute, the victory moved Plateau United onto seven points after four matches.
Abia Warriors left it late to secure a 2-0 away victory over Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, the match appeared to be heading towards a goalless draw before Ikoi Etta broke the deadlock in the 88th minute.
Emeka Obioma then added a second goal in stoppage time to seal the victory for the visitors, the result gives Abia Warriors five points from four matches, while Sporting Lagos remain on three points.
Defending champions Rangers International also secured an important away victory, defeating Kun Khalifat 4-2 in the Oriental Derby in Owerri, rangers took control of the match and eventually secured their third away victory of the season.
Kun Khalifat remain near the bottom of the table with two points from four matches, while Rangers moved onto seven points from three games.
Rivers United missed the chance to claim all three points away from home after drawing 1-1 with Nasarawa United in Lafia, the visitors took the lead before Musa Yakubu converted a late penalty in the 84th minute to rescue a point for Nasarawa United.
Rivers United remain among the early pace-setters with seven points from three matches.
Warri Wolves also recorded their first victory of the season with a narrow 1-0 win over Kwara United, Ejike Ezekiel scored as early as the eighth minute, and the hosts held on for the remainder of the match to secure all three points.
The victory moves Warri Wolves off the bottom group, while Kwara United continue to search for consistency.
Despite losing heavily in Kano, Doma United’s perfect start had already given them enough points to remain at the summit, Barau FC are second with eight points, while Kano Pillars, Rivers United, Rangers and Plateau United are all among the teams on seven points.
The early table shows just how competitive the opening weeks of the NPFL campaign have been, with several teams separated by only a few points.
The attention now turns to Matchday 5, with several important fixtures scheduled for Wednesday.
Kano Pillars will travel to face Inter Lagos, while Enyimba will look to finally get their campaign moving when they host Sporting Lagos, for Doma United, the challenge will be to respond to their first defeat of the season and protect their position at the top.
