Saturday’s EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday Four produced three different stories as Abdulrahman Garba fired Katsina United to victory, Ranchers Bees overcame Bendel Insurance in a dramatic contest, while Barau FC maintained their unbeaten start to the season against Ikorodu City.
At the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Garba’s first-half goal proved decisive as Katsina United edged Niger Tornadoes 1-0, delivering the perfect response after their 3-0 defeat to Kwara United on Matchday Three.
Garba’s match-winning contribution makes his story even more interesting. The youngster was promoted from Katsina United’s youth setup to the senior team in 2024, and he is now making his mark on the EuroMatch NPFL stage with a goal worth three valuable points.
Elsewhere, Ranchers Bees defeated Bendel Insurance 2-1, bouncing back from their 3-1 Matchday Three loss to Barau FC. The Bees were forced to dig deep after being reduced to 10 men in the 84th minute, but held on to secure maximum points.
Ranchers Bees have already given supporters one of the outstanding individual performances of the young campaign through Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu, whose hat-trick earlier in the season announced another player for EuroMatch NPFL followers to keep an eye on.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, there were no goals as Ikorodu City and Barau FC played out a 0-0 draw, but the result extended an impressive opening run for the league newcomers.
Barau have now gone four EuroMatch NPFL matches without defeat. They began by beating Nasarawa United 3-1, followed that with a goalless draw against Kun Khalifat, defeated Ranchers Bees 3-1 and have now returned from Lagos with another point.
That early consistency is quickly turning Barau into one of the interesting stories of the new campaign, while players such as Joseph Atule are giving supporters personalities to follow as the club establishes itself in the top flight.
Saturday’s EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 4 Results
Katsina United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes — Abdulrahman Garba
Ranchers Bees 2-1 Bendel Insurance — Ranchers Bees reduced to 10 men in the 84th minute
Ikorodu City 0-0 Barau FC
And Saturday was only the beginning.
Seven more fixtures are scheduled for Sunday, with perhaps none bigger than Kano Pillars against Doma United.
Doma travel to Kano having won their opening three matches without conceding a single goal, meaning Pillars now have the opportunity to become the first side to breach the newcomers’ defence this season.
Enyimba host Inter Lagos, Sporting Lagos face Abia Warriors, Kun Khalifat welcome Rangers International, Nasarawa United meet Rivers United, Warri Wolves battle Kwara United, while Plateau United face Shooting Stars.
Matchday Four has therefore already delivered a young match-winner, late drama and another impressive result for an unbeaten newcomer.
Three games down. Seven to come.
The players are creating the stories, and the EuroMatch NPFL weekend is only getting started.
