NPFL: Rangers win big as Nasarawa shock Abia News

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NPFL: Rangers win big as Nasarawa shock Abia

By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 26, 2026

Enugu Rangers delivered a commanding performance on Sunday to secure a 4–2 home victory over Wolves in matchday 22 of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League, while Nasarawa United produced a stunning turnaround to hand Abia Warriors their first home defeat of the season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The results have had significant implications for the league standings and the race for continental qualification.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Rangers set the tone early against Wolves, with striker Godwin Obaje netting a brace inside the first twelve minutes.

The forward’s sharp finishing, first in the opening minute and then in the eleventh, stunned the visitors and gave the Flying Antelopes a two-goal advantage before the quarter-hour mark.

Wolves pulled one back in the 56th minute through Israel Oladeji, halving the deficit, but Rangers’ dominance remained evident as midfielder Chimobi Igwilo restored the two-goal lead with a precise strike in the 71st minute before adding a second in the 76th minute after a swift counter-attack, leaving Wolves scrambling.

The match concluded with Seth Mayi converting a penalty for Wolves in stoppage time, but it proved a consolation as Rangers sealed a decisive 4–2 victory.

The win elevated Rangers into the top four on 36 points, overtaking Ikorodu City.

Meanwhile, at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Abia Warriors’ title ambitions suffered a severe setback as they were beaten 2–1 by Nasarawa United.

Chukwuemeka Obioma’s 42nd-minute opener for Abia appeared to put the hosts in control, but the Solid Miners responded immediately after the break.

Habibu Alakija levelled the score in the 47th minute, and JoFrank Istifanus’ 55th-minute strike completed the turnaround.

The defeat marked Abia’s first home loss of the season, leaving only Rangers, Ikorodu City, and El-Kanemi Warriors unbeaten at home.

Nasarawa United’s victory elevated them into second place on 38 points, just three behind league leaders Rivers United, who hold a game in hand against Kwara United.

For Abia, the loss represents a major obstacle in their pursuit of the NPFL title, as their momentum at home has now been disrupted at a critical stage of the campaign.

Elsewhere, Shooting Stars secured a 1–0 victory over Bendel Insurance in Ibadan, with Qamar Adegoke’s 71st-minute strike ending the Oluyole Warriors’ rivals’ nine-game unbeaten run.

Source Punch Ng

Posted January 26, 2026