Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 12 delivered exciting action across the country, with defending champions Rangers International securing a narrow victory, Bendel Insurance scoring a dramatic late winner, and Inter Lagos rescuing a point in a thrilling Lagos derby.

READ ALSO: Akinwale Oriyomi Rescues Inter Lagos with Stoppage-Time Equaliser in 2-2 Lagos Derby | Sports247 Nigeria

Sports247 reports that the matchday began on Friday, November 6, with Kun Khalifat FC playing out a 1-1 draw against Kano Pillars. Sikiru Alimi opened the scoring for the visitors in the 74th minute, but Ebuka Okoro converted a late penalty to rescue a point for the hosts.

On Sunday, defending champions Rangers International welcomed Kwara United in Awka and secured a 1-0 victory. Victor Chimezie scored the decisive goal in the 40th minute to give the Flying Antelopes maximum points.

Abia Warriors and Doma United shared four goals in a 2-2 draw, while Shooting Stars suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Barau FC. An early own goal by Olakunle Akala proved costly for the Oluyole Warriors.

Bendel Insurance produced one of the day’s dramatic finishes against Niger Tornadoes in Benin. After Aliyu Mohammed gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot, Jonathan Mairiga equalised in the 45+8th minute. John Taiwo then struck in the 90+5th minute to seal a 2-1 victory for the Benin Gunners. Niger Tornadoes defender Sunday Akinmoladun was sent off in added time for a professional foul.

Newly promoted Ranchers Bees claimed an important 1-0 victory over Enyimba, with Chiedozie Jude Okorie scoring in the 42nd minute.

In Lafia, Nasarawa United responded to their previous defeat against Kano Pillars with a convincing 3-1 win over Plateau United.

Warri Wolves and Katsina United settled for a 1-1 draw. Luis Dadong put the visitors ahead in the 28th minute before Sabastine Uche equalised for Wolves in the 72nd minute.

The Lagos derby between Ikorodu City and Inter Lagos ended 2-2 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan. John Danga gave Inter Lagos the lead in the 40th minute before Ayodeji Abayomi converted two penalties in the 59th and 63rd minutes to put Ikorodu City ahead. However, Akinwale Oriyomi struck in the 90+2nd minute to rescue a valuable point for struggling Inter Lagos.

The Matchday 12 programme is scheduled to conclude with Rivers United taking on Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, on November 18.

The post NPFL Matchday 12 Roundup: Rangers Edge Kwara United, Bendel Snatch Late Winner as Inter Lagos Rescue Derby Point appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Kano Pillars have collected 19 points from their opening 12 matches in the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, but their inability to secure an away victory remains a major concern despite an encouraging start to the campaign.

Sports247 reports that the Sai Masu Gida have recorded four wins, seven draws and just one defeat, scoring 15 goals and conceding 12 to maintain a positive goal difference of three. They have also kept five clean sheets, underlining their defensive resilience.

Pillars opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Kwara United before registering consecutive victories over Niger Tornadoes (3-2) and Doma United (4-1), showing early signs of their attacking quality, Sports247 gathered.

However, they struggled to maintain that winning momentum, settling for draws against Inter Lagos, Enyimba, Sporting Lagos and Shooting Stars.

Their only defeat so far came on October 11, when Plateau United handed them a heavy 4-0 loss, exposing defensive weaknesses that had not been as evident in their earlier fixtures.

The Kano-based side responded with a 1-0 victory over Katsina United before drawing with Warri Wolves. They subsequently secured an impressive 2-0 win against Nasarawa United but were held to a 1-1 draw by Kun Khalifat FC in their latest outing on November 6.

Home Strength, Away-Day Concerns

A breakdown of their results highlights a clear difference between Pillars’ performances at home and on the road.

At home, they have collected 14 points from six matches, recording four victories and two draws without losing. Their home form has provided a dependable source of points and kept them competitive in the league.

Away from home, however, the picture is less convincing. Pillars have managed just five points from six matches, drawing five and losing once, with no victory on their travels.

The inability to turn away draws into wins has limited their points return and remains an area the technical crew must address.

With 19 points from a possible 36, Kano Pillars have shown commendable resilience, losing only once in 12 matches. However, seven draws indicate missed opportunities to convert competitive displays into victories.

Their strong home record offers a platform to build on, but improving their away performances will be crucial if the Sai Masu Gida are to sustain their ambitions in NPFL27.

For Pillars, the challenge is straightforward: turn draws into wins, maintain defensive discipline and find a winning formula on the road.

The post NPFL: Kano Pillars’ Away-Day Struggles Persist Despite 19-Point Return in NPFL27 appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Inter Lagos interim coach Olusanjo Olutayo has raised concerns over the technical foundation and tactical understanding of players competing in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), following his side’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Ranchers Bees.

READ ALSO: NPFL: ‘15 Chances, Zero Goals — That’s Relegation Form’ Inter Lagos Interim Coach Olutayo Sounds Alarm After Nasarawa United Defeat | Sports247 Nigeria

Sports247 reports that Olutayo expressed frustration with his players’ inability to execute basic instructions, suggesting that deficiencies in their football education were affecting the team’s tactical organisation and overall performance.

According to the coach, the problem goes beyond match-day pressure, pointing instead to foundational issues that should have been addressed during the players’ early development.

“It was a foundational issue, what the players were taught from scratch. It affects the tactical system,” Olutayo said.

He questioned how professional footballers competing in the country’s top division could still struggle with basic technical requirements, particularly in midfield.

“How can you teach a midfielder in the league, some 12-year-old players basic technique?” he queried.

The Inter Lagos coach also dismissed mental pressure as the primary explanation for his team’s struggles, insisting that the club had sufficient resources and personnel to compete.

“I don’t care about the mental pressure; we have enough components there,” he stated.

His comments followed a frustrating afternoon for Inter Lagos against Ranchers Bees on Sunday.

Qoyum Akinpelu gave Inter Lagos an early advantage from the penalty spot in the ninth minute, but the visitors responded through Oscar Gabriel, who found the equaliser in the 60th minute.

Olutayo admitted that Ranchers Bees created more opportunities and applied better pressing during the encounter. He was particularly disappointed that his players failed to remember and implement instructions worked on during preparations for the match.

The result leaves Inter Lagos rooted to the bottom of the NPFL table as they continue their search for a first league victory of the campaign.

With results yet to improve, Olutayo’s comments have brought renewed attention to the importance of grassroots football education, technical development and tactical understanding in Nigeria’s domestic league.

The post “How Can You Teach a Midfielder Basic Technique at This Level?” – Olusanjo Questions NPFL Players’ Tactical Understanding appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.