Enugu Rangers have strengthened their grip on the Nigeria Premier Football League title race with a 1-0 victory over Kwara United, while Enyimba's struggles deepened with a 1-0 defeat to Ranchers Bees in Matchday 12.
Victor Chimezie scored the only goal five minutes before half-time at the Awka City Stadium, giving the Flying Antelopes another important home victory and taking their tally to 24 points from 11 matches.
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- Rangers are top with 24 points from 11 matches, three points ahead of Bendel Insurance
- Chimezie scored Rangers' winner against Kwara United in the 40th minute
- Chiedozie Jude Okorie scored in the 43rd minute as Ranchers Bees beat Enyimba 1-0 in Minna
- Enyimba are 18th with 11 points from 12 matches, still without an away win this season
Rangers hold summit as Bendel Insurance rise
Rangers went into Sunday's match following a 1-0 win over Bendel Insurance in their rescheduled Matchday 9 fixture, where Chidozie Iwundu's second-half header proved decisive. Sunday's success ensured Fidelis Ilechukwu's side retained their position at the top.
Bendel Insurance moved into second place in the round, and Nasarawa United strengthened their challenge among the leading sides, according to The Athletic NG's round-up. Rangers have played one match fewer than several of their closest challengers, which makes their three-point cushion more valuable than it looks.
Rangers will now turn their attention to their next league assignment against Niger Tornadoes on November 15, with an opportunity to extend their winning run.
Enyimba's away-day misery deepens
Enyimba's difficult campaign suffered another setback at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna. Okorie's goal, a shot from outside the penalty area in the 43rd minute, gave Ranchers Bees a valuable advantage before the break.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way through, extending their wait for a first away victory this season. The defeat leaves the former champions 18th, in the relegation places, with three wins, two draws and seven losses from 12 matches. Ranchers Bees moved up to 16th with 12 points from 11 matches.
Note: one Punch social post summarised the Ranchers Bees score as 2-1. The detailed match reports from The Athletic NG and Complete Sports both record 1-0, and NewsTweetNaija follows the detailed reports.
What happens next
Matchday 13 will test both ends of the story: Rangers away to Niger Tornadoes, and an Enyimba side that needs points quickly to climb out of the bottom four. A club of Enyimba's history sitting 18th in November is one of the season's biggest talking points.
Credit: The Athletic NG and Complete Sports NPFL Matchday 12 reports of November 8, 2026.
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