Reviewed by Rahmon OluwoNigeria sports betting writer
Published 17 September 2026 · Updated 24 September 2026
Newly promoted Doma United beat Enyimba by two goals to nil and lead the NPFL with nine points from three matches, the only side in the division with a perfect record.
Doma United took the points on Saturday off a club that has won the Nigerian title nine times. Enyimba were still without a point. Inter Lagos were bottom of the table at that stage, beaten in all three of their opening matches.
Sporting Lagos won the first NPFL Lagos derby in more than a decade, beating Inter Lagos by three goals to nil. Kwara United, Bendel Insurance and Barau FC also won, Abia Warriors and Ikorodu City drew, Niger Tornadoes and Plateau United drew as well, and three fixtures were postponed.
What a promoted side at the top actually means
Three matches is a small sample. The number that matters is not the nine points, it is the gap it creates while the rest of the division is still settling.
Enyimba are the more interesting half of the same result. A club with nine league titles has started without a point, and in a league where home advantage counts for this much, a pointless September is a genuine hole rather than a slow start to be shrugged off.
The international window is close
One more round follows before club football gives way to the international window. Nigeria play Madagascar in Uyo on 25 September and Guinea Bissau away on 29 September in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Update, 21 September 2026: Doma United’s perfect start ended in the fourth round, when Kano Pillars beat them by four goals to one in Kano.
Where to bet: NPFL matches are priced in naira on SportyBet and Bet9ja, both operating under Nigerian state licences, on match result, both teams to score, over and under goals and outright markets on the title and relegation, with deposits through OPay, Moniepoint and bank transfer. Home advantage is the strongest single factor in this league and the books price it heavily, which is why away wins pay what they do and why a promoted side winning on the road moves an outright price more than a home win does. Outright prices set in September are built on three matches, so they move a long way once a fuller table exists. Our guide to the best betting sites in Nigeria covers licensing and withdrawal times, and there is more in Nigeria soccer news from AXN Sports. 18+. Gamble responsibly.
