The second matchday of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League delivered thrills across the country, with goals, drama, and a rare away victory.
At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars settled for a 1-1 draw in a feisty encounter. The visitors stunned the home crowd early on when Ayodele Ismail put Shooting Stars ahead in just the 5th minute. But Insurance responded quickly, with Alex Oweilayefa finding the equalizer eight minutes later to ensure both sides shared the points.
Elsewhere, Enyimba secured their first win of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Niger Tornadoes. Joseph Abiodun’s strike in the sixth minute proved decisive for the People’s Elephant in Aba.
Former champions Rivers United also picked up a narrow win, edging Kwara United 1-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. Ubong Friday’s 22nd-minute goal was enough to seal all three points for the Pride of Rivers.
In Yenagoa, Bayelsa United delighted their fans with a 2-0 victory over Barau FC, thanks to goals from Wisdom Magbisa and Ofem Nneoyi.
Over in Kano, Pillars and Wikki Tourists played out another 1-1 draw. Ahmed Lamido gave Wikki the lead in the 12th minute, but Mustapha Umar equalized right on the stroke of halftime.
The standout result of the day came in Jos, where Katsina United stunned Plateau United 2-1 to record the only away win of Matchday 2. Sadiq Abubakar and Uche Collins put the visitors in control before Gideon Monday pulled one back for Plateau, but it was too little, too late.
Meanwhile, Warri Wolves cruised past Rangers 2-0, with Godwin Oham and Prince Ebhohon on the scoresheet, while Ikorodu City and El-Kanemi Warriors canceled each other out in a goalless stalemate in Lagos.
Full NPFL Matchday 2 Results
• Bendel Insurance 1-1 Shooting Stars
• Bayelsa United 2-0 Barau FC
• Nasarawa United 1-0 Abia Warriors
• Enyimba 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
• Rivers United 1-0 Kwara United
• Kano Pillars 1-1 Wikki Tourists
• Plateau United 1-2 Katsina United
• Warri Wolves 2-0 Rangers
• Ikorodu City 0-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
