Rivers United have strengthened their hold on first place in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following the conclusion of Matchday 19, opening a four-point gap at the top ahead of the mid-season break.
The Port Harcourt side wrapped up the first stanza of the campaign with a narrow but vital 1–0 victory over Rangers International.
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Centre-back Bolu Sholumade struck shortly after the restart, netting the decisive goal in the 53rd minute to secure all three points for Finidi George’s team and move them to 37 points from 19 matches.
Rivers United’s advantage was further boosted by Nasarawa United’s 3–0 loss to Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
The defeat stalled the Solid Miners’ title push and allowed the league leaders to pull clear at the summit.
In Kano, Mustapha Umar gave Pillars an early lead in the 23rd minute, before second-half goals from Chiedozie Okorie and Jibrin Mustapha completed a convincing win.
The result lifted Kano Pillars from the foot of the table to 18th place with 19 points.
Abia Warriors climbed to second place on 33 points after securing a 1–0 away win against Plateau United in Jos.
Ikorodu City also continued their impressive debut NPFL season, defeating defending champions Remo Stars 1–0 in Lagos. Alfred Odinaka’s 40th-minute strike pushed the Lagos-based side into third position with 32 points.
Elsewhere, Enyimba ended the first half of the season in style with a dominant 3–0 victory over Shooting Stars in Aba.
Niger Tornadoes enhanced their continental ambitions with a 2–0 home win against Barau FC, while Katsina United claimed a crucial 1–0 away victory over Kun Khalifat in Owerri.
Elkanemi Warriors recorded a surprise 1–0 win over Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium, while Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourists shared the spoils in an entertaining 2–2 draw as the curtain fell on the first stanza of the season.
The NPFL is set to resume on January 7 with Matchday 20 fixtures.
The mid-season transfer window will run from January 1 to January 30, 2026.
Matchday 19 Results at a Glance
Bendel Insurance 2–0 Kwara United
Rivers United 1–0 Rangers International
Kano Pillars 3–0 Nasarawa United
Plateau United 0–1 Abia Warriors
Ikorodu City 1–0 Remo Stars
Enyimba 3–0 Shooting Stars
Niger Tornadoes 2–0 Barau FC
Kun Khalifat 0–1 Katsina United
Warri Wolves 2–2 Wikki Tourists
Bayelsa United 0–1 Elkanemi Warriors
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