Away Teams Make Bold Statement in NPFL Matchday Action
Three visiting sides defied home advantage on Sunday as the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) served up a thrilling round of fixtures, with away wins highlighting the growing competitiveness of the league, TalkTalk Nigeria reports.
Abia Warriors continued their impressive run with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Plateau United at the New Jos Stadium. Taheer Abubakar emerged the hero, calmly slotting home the decisive goal in the 68th minute to hand Imama Amapakabo’s men all three points on the road.
In Owerri, Katsina United finally broke their away-day jinx, edging Kun Khalifat 1–0 to record their first away win of the season. Richard Christopher’s well-taken strike in the 36th minute proved enough to silence the home crowd and give the Changi Boys a much-needed morale boost.
At the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, El-Kanemi Warriors also made a statement, grinding out a 1–0 win against Bayelsa United. Sadiq Mohammed’s goal just before halftime turned out to be the difference in a tightly contested encounter.
Full Results (Sunday):
Tornadoes 2–0 Barau
Enyimba 3–0 Shooting Stars (3SC)
Bayelsa United 0–1 El-Kanemi Warriors
Wolves 2–2 Wikki Tourists
Rivers United 1–0 Rangers
Kun Khalifat 0–1 Katsina United
Plateau United 0–1 Abia Warriors
Kano Pillars 3–0 Nasarawa United
Opinion: The rise in away victories is a refreshing sign for the NPFL. Traditionally dominated by home advantage, this weekend’s results suggest teams are becoming more tactically disciplined and mentally tougher on the road. For clubs like Katsina United, finally securing an away win could be a turning point for their season, while Abia Warriors’ consistency continues to underline their title credentials.
As the league progresses, fans can expect tighter games, fewer “easy” home wins, and a more unpredictable title race—exactly the kind of excitement the NPFL needs to keep growing and winning hearts across the country.
