Ikorodu City End Opening-Day Drought as Rangers Rescue Draw in NPFL

Posted : 31 August 2026

Ikorodu City began the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season with a 3-1 comeback win over newly promoted Ranchers Bees at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Sunday. The victory ended the Oga Boys’ wait for an opening-day win after they failed to win their first league game in their previous two NPFL seasons.

Ranchers Bees made a fast start when Chidozie Okorie opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Ikorodu City responded through Umar Dan’Azumi in the 30th minute before Abayomi Ayodeji completed the turnaround just before half-time.

Farouk Salami then settled the contest from the penalty spot in the 87th minute. Ranchers Bees had earlier been reduced to 10 men after Okorie received a red card, leaving the visitors unable to mount a late comeback.

The result gives Ikorodu City three points from their opening fixture and an early position among the leading teams. The Lagos club finished fourth in each of their first two NPFL seasons and will hope to build on that consistency as they target another strong campaign.

Defending champions Rangers International were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Katsina United in their opening match. Luis Dadong gave Katsina United the lead in the 38th minute before Chibueze Oputa rescued a point for Rangers deep into stoppage time.

Oputa’s equaliser arrived in the seventh minute of added time after his free-kick caused problems for the Katsina defence. The result denied Rangers a winning start to their title defence and handed Katsina United a valuable point against the reigning champions.

Elsewhere, Rivers United opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Plateau United in Port Harcourt. Abdulrasheed Dabai scored in the sixth minute, while Wasiu Falolu added a second in the 38th minute as the last season’s runners-up made an impressive start.

Kwara United also produced a strong comeback, recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Kano Pillars. Shola Abdulraheem and Rabiu Ali put Pillars ahead before Alex Jerry scored twice, including a stoppage-time equaliser, to earn the hosts a point.

The opening round also saw Barau FC beat Nasarawa United 3-1, Doma United defeat Sporting Lagos 2-0, Bendel Insurance overcome Warri Wolves 2-1 and Niger Tornadoes defeat Enyimba 2-1. The Abia Warriors versus Kun Khalifat match was abandoned at 0-0 in the 73rd minute because of heavy rain, with the remaining minutes scheduled to be completed later.

Ikorodu City End Opening-Day Drought as Rangers Rescue Draw in NPFL

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