Rivers United extend lead into NPFL mid-season break

Nigeria Premier Football League leaders Rivers United have opened a five-point gap at the top of the table following a 1–0 victory over Rangers International and Nasarawa United’s 3–0 defeat to Kano Pillars on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

A 53rd-minute strike from centre-back Bolu Sholumade proved decisive for Finidi George’s side in their matchday 19 encounter in Port Harcourt, as Rivers United head into the mid-season break with a commanding advantage.

Rivers’ grip on first place was further strengthened by the setback suffered by second-placed Nasarawa United in Kano, where they were convincingly beaten by a resurgent Kano Pillars.

The Solid Miners were visiting the Sani Abacha Stadium, as Pillars returned after serving a five-match home ban, and they fell victim to the hosts’ sixth win of the season.

Mustapha Umar opened the scoring for the Sai Masu Gida in the 23rd minute, before second-half goals from Chiedozie Okorie and Jibrin Mustapha sealed an emphatic victory.

The result lifted Kano Pillars from the foot of the table to 18th place with 19 points, while Kun Khalifat and Plateau United slipped further into trouble, occupying 20th and 19th positions respectively.

Kun Khalifat suffered their fifth home defeat of the season, losing 1–0 to Katsina United in Owerri, while Plateau United’s struggles continued with a 1–0 home loss to Abia Warriors — their third defeat at the New Jos Stadium this season.

In Aba, Enyimba rounded off the year on a high note, claiming a comprehensive 3–0 win over Shooting Stars to make it two victories from their last five matches.

Chinedu Ufere opened the scoring for the nine-time champions in the 16th minute, before Edidiong Ezekiel and Chidera Michael added two late goals to put the result beyond doubt.

Elsewhere in Minna, Niger Tornadoes moved to within a point of the top three after securing a 2–0 victory over relegation-threatened Barau FC. Goals from Abdulaziz Dalhatu in the 35th minute and Rickson Mendos in stoppage time ensured all three points for the hosts.

The newly promoted Barau FC, who had earlier climbed out of the relegation zone, have now dropped back into the bottom four with 21 points after 19 matches.

The NPFL will resume for the second half of the season on January 7 with Matchday 20 fixtures, while the mid-season transfer window will run from January 1 to January 30, 2026.