NPFL Roundup: Rangers frustrate Tornadoes as Inter Lagos end 8-match winless run

Rangers International protected their place at the NPFL summit with a hard-earned 1–1 draw at Niger Tornadoes, while Inter Lagos ended their eight-match wait for a victory on Sunday.

There was also joy for Ikorodu City, who secured a 1–0 win at struggling Enyimba, as Katsina United dented Nasarawa United’s hopes of gaining ground on the leaders.

FULL TIME IN MINNA! 🔴⚪️🦅 A hard-fought point on the road as substitute Waheed Adebayo strikes in the 78th minute to rescue a draw for the Flying Antelopes! 💪⚽️ Niger Tornadoes FC 1-1 Rangers Int’l FC ⚽ W. Adebayo 78′ #UpRangers #NPFL https://t.co/owLsdcuPqM

From a comeback in Minna to a breakthrough in Lagos and another miserable afternoon in Aba, here is how the action unfolded.

Niger Tornadoes had home advantage. Rangers had the response.

The Nigerian champions came from behind to earn a 1–1 draw in Minna, extending their unbeaten run against Tornadoes to four matches and preserving their position at the top of the table.

Tornadoes, meanwhile, kept their unbeaten home record intact. They could not finish off the leaders, but Rangers certainly had to work for their share.

Eight matches without a win can make three points feel like a trophy. Inter Lagos finally had something to celebrate after beating Abia Warriors 2–1.

The Lagos side began the day bottom of the table following a three-point federation deduction, with the visitors sitting immediately above them in 19th.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Inter Lagos FC (@interlagosfc)

That made this more than an ordinary home fixture. It was a chance to drag a direct rival closer and Inter took it.

Just their second victory of the campaign ended a draining winless run and narrowed the gap on Abia Warriors, whose own survival concerns deepened.

One result will not solve everything, but Inter finally have something to build on.

Aba offered no comfort for Enyimba as Ikorodu City claimed a valuable 1–0 away victory.

The People’s Elephant entered the round in 18th place and remain in the relegation zone after another damaging setback.

Ikorodu City deepens Nwankwo Kanu’s problems For Ikorodu, it was the kind of hard-fought road win that can lift confidence. For Enyimba, it was another missed opportunity to use home advantage to kick-start a recovery.

The visitors left with the points. The hosts were left with familiar questions.

Nasarawa United had an opportunity to increase the pressure near the top. Katsina United had other ideas.

A 2–1 home victory gave Katsina all three points and lifted them into the top half, while Nasarawa missed a chance to close in on Rangers.

FULLTIME | KATSINA UNITED 2–1 NASARAWA UNITED! A commanding performance from the Boys as we secure all three points! ⚽ Luis Dadong (33’) ⚽ Mubarak Sani (45+3’ PEN) Three massive points! Katsina United 2–1 Nasarawa United #euromatchnpfl #katsinaunited https://t.co/1j85emH3bC

With the leaders held in Minna, the defeat will sting even more for Nasarawa. An opening appeared, but they could not take advantage.

The round began on Friday with Shooting Stars defeating Bendel Insurance 2–1.

Saturday brought a narrow victory for Kano Pillars, who edged Ranchers Bees 1–0, while Doma United and Barau FC played out a goalless draw.

Plateau United host Kun Khalifat on Tuesday, November 17, at 4pm WAT to complete the round.