The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 11 delivered another dramatic weekend as Rivers United halted Nasarawa United’s impressive run to open up the title race, while Abia Warriors surged to the top of the table with a crucial away win in Minna.

From late goals to fierce derbies, Matchday 11 offered a thrilling mix of resilience, revival, and surprises across the country, Footballrover reports.

Breakdown of Events in NPFL Matchday 11

Rivers United 1–0 Nasarawa United

Nasarawa United relinquished their grip on the top spot of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table after falling 1-0 away to Rivers United on Sunday afternoon at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Zachariah Timothy struck the decisive goal at the stroke of halftime, condemning the Solid Miners to their second consecutive defeat in two weeks and third loss of the 2025/26 NPFL season.

The result, witnessed by the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, saw the Solid Miners slip to second on the table with 19 points — two points behind Abia Warriors, who secured a crucial away victory over Niger Tornadoes in Minna.

Nasarawa United, however, have a game in hand as they prepare to host Remo Stars in their rescheduled Matchday 10 fixture on November 5, 2025, at the Lafia City Stadium before entertaining Kwara United on Matchday 12.

Rivers United, meanwhile, climbed to eighth position with 16 points from nine matches following the win.

Post-Match Reactions: Coach Mangut Mbwas (Nasarawa United)

“It’s unfortunate that the game turned out this way despite coming this strong after series of games and confidence building.

“We knew it was not going to be easy here against Rivers United, having had some not-too-good results at their home ground.

“We did all we could to curtail their aggressiveness, but they took advantage of their chance, coupled with the fact that the playing turf was so wet, which affected our pattern of play because we could not circulate the ball as we had wanted.

“I commend my boys for their efforts, and I congratulate Rivers United for taking their chance from our defensive mistake.

“We are a young team that is self-motivated and highly supported by the Nasarawa State Government. We want to make a name for ourselves and the people of the state.

“We are doing everything humanly possible to finish decently on the league table at the end of the season.”

Other NPFL Matchday 11 Results and Narratives

Kwara United 3–1 Remo Stars

Kwara United eased past Remo Stars 3–1 in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 11 clash on Saturday.

Junior Aimufua was the hero for the hosts, netting a brace, while Babatunde Bright added a third to seal the victory.

Remo Stars’ only response came deep into stoppage time through Jabbar Malik.

With the win, Kwara United climbed to seventh on the table with 16 points from 11 games, while Remo Stars remain down in 17th with just 10 points.

Bendel Insurance 1–1 Warri Wolves

At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance were held to a 1–1 draw by Warri Wolves.

Alex Oweilayefa fired Insurance ahead after just nine minutes, but Othuke Egbo levelled for the visitors four minutes before the break.

The result leaves the Benin Gunners rooted in 19th place with eight points, while the Seasiders stay strong in fourth with 18 points.

Niger Tornadoes 1–2 Abia Warriors

Abia Warriors secured the only away win of the day, edging Niger Tornadoes 2–1 in Minna.

Imama Amapakabo’s men took control early, going 2–0 up by halftime through goals from Sunday Megwo and Sunday Akinmoladun.

Abdulrasheed Dabai pulled one back for Tornadoes after the break, but it wasn’t enough.

The Umuahia side now tops the NPFL standings with 21 points, displacing Nasarawa United, while Tornadoes drops to fifth with 17 points.

Shooting Stars 1–1 Katsina United

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars and Katsina United settled for a 1–1 draw.

Chigozie Ihejiofor opened scoring for Katsina inside six minutes, before Chukwudi Ekeocha drew 3SC level ten minutes later.

The stalemate leaves Shooting Stars in ninth with 16 points — the same tally as Katsina United, who sit just below them in 10th.

Ikorodu City 2–0 Kun Khalifat

Ikorodu City continued their impressive run with a 2–0 victory over Kun Khalifat.

Christian Oparaocha broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark, and Ibifubara Dagogo made sure of the result with a 60th-minute strike.

The win stretches the Oga Boys’ unbeaten streak to six matches (three wins, three draws), lifting them to third on the table with 18 points.

Kun Khalifat, meanwhile, drop to 15th with 12 points and are now winless in two games.

Barau FC 0–0 Wikki Tourists

Barau and Wikki Tourists played out a goalless draw in the Northern derby, a result that extends Barau’s winless run to two matches.

Barau remain in 16th place with nine points, while Wikki hold 14th with 13 points.

El-Kanemi Warriors 0–0 Enugu Rangers

A similar story unfolded in Maiduguri, where El-Kanemi Warriors were held to a 0–0 draw by Enugu Rangers. El-Kanemi are now without a win in two, while Rangers’ barren spell stretches to three.

The Desert Warriors sit 11th with 15 points, and the Coal City side follow in 13th with 13 points.

Bayelsa United 2–1 Plateau United

Bayelsa United came from behind to edge Plateau United 2–1 at home.

Gideon Monday gave the visitors a dream start, scoring just two minutes in, but James Emo turned the tide with a brace in the 39th and 56th minutes to seal all three points for Bayelsa.

The result ends Bayelsa United’s run of two straight defeats as they stay in 12th with 14 points, while Plateau United — denied back-to-back wins — slip to 16th with 12 points.

Enyimba 2–0 Kano Pillars

Enyimba snapped their five-game winless streak with a 2–0 home victory over Kano Pillars in Aba on Sunday.

John Bassey broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, and Edidiong Ezekiel doubled the lead six minutes later.

The result lifts the People’s Elephant to sixth place on 16 points, while Pillars’ struggles continue — their third straight defeat leaves them bottom of the table with just five points.

NPFL Matchday 11 Results at a Glance

– Rivers United 1–0 Nasarawa United
– Kwara United 3–1 Remo Stars
– Bendel Insurance 1–1 Warri Wolves
– Niger Tornadoes 1–2 Abia Warriors
– Shooting Stars 1–1 Katsina United
– Ikorodu City 2–0 Kun Khalifat
– Barau FC 0–0 Wikki Tourists
– El-Kanemi Warriors 0–0 Enugu Rangers
– Bayelsa United 2–1 Plateau United
– Enyimba 2–0 Kano Pillars

Standings: A Close Race for Top Spot After NPFL Matchday 11

Standings: Struggle at the Bottom After NPFL Matchday 11

What’s Next After NPFL Matchday 11

Nasarawa United will host Remo Stars in their rescheduled Matchday 10 fixture on November 5, 2025, before returning to league action against Kwara United.

Meanwhile, attention shifts to the mid-table battle as Enyimba aim to maintain momentum, and Ikorodu City will look to continue their unbeaten streak heading into Matchday 12.

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Last Updated on November 3, 2025 7:21 am by footballrover