Defending champions Enugu Rangers, Rivers United and Shooting Stars will miss Matchday 2 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as they focus on their respective CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup preliminary-round first-leg fixtures.

Their absence leaves Sunday’s league programme with several intriguing encounters, including Kun Khalifa’s meeting with Barau FC in Owerri, Ranchers Bees’ first home game against Abia Warriors and the Kano derby clash between Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes.

Kun Khalifa face confident Barau

Kun Khalifa will be seeking their first victory of the season when they host Barau FC in Owerri.

The hosts opened their campaign with a goalless draw away to Abia Warriors, while Barau made an impressive start with a 3-1 victory over Nasarawa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

Kun Khalifa will also be looking to end a difficult run against Barau, having lost both league meetings between the sides last season.

Barau claimed maximum points in the two encounters, winning by an aggregate score of 4-1.

Ranchers Bees welcome Abia Warriors

Newly promoted Ranchers Bees will make their first home appearance in the NPFL when they welcome Abia Warriors to the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.

The Kaduna-based side returned to the top flight after 16 years but began their campaign with a defeat to Ikorodu City.

They will hope home advantage can inspire a response against an Abia Warriors side that held Kun Khalifa to a goalless draw on the opening day.

Sunday’s encounter will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

Pillars seek redemption against Tornadoes

Kano Pillars will be determined to secure their first victory of the season when they host Niger Tornadoes.

Pillars surrendered a two-goal lead against Kwara United last weekend, eventually settling for a 2-2 draw in Ilorin after the hosts fought back in the second half.

Niger Tornadoes, meanwhile, began the season on a winning note, defeating Enyimba.

History offers little comfort to Pillars, who have managed just one victory in their last seven meetings with Tornadoes, suffering four defeats and two draws.

Gbenga Ogunmodede’s side will therefore face a difficult test as they look to get their campaign firmly on track.

Plateau United target first win

Plateau United will welcome Kwara United to the New Jos Stadium as they seek to recover from their opening-day defeat to Rivers United.

Kwara United have struggled on their recent visits to Jos, losing five of their last six matches there and drawing the other.

The visitors, however, will arrive with renewed confidence after recovering from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Kano Pillars, with Alex Jerry scoring both goals.

Nasarawa, Insurance clash

Nasarawa United will also be chasing their first victory when they host Bendel Insurance in Lafia.

The visitors opened their campaign with a 2-1 home victory over Warri Wolves in Benin City and will be hoping to build on that result.

Nasarawa will, however, draw confidence from home advantage as they seek to improve their fortunes against Insurance.

Bendel Insurance are without a win in their last five meetings with Nasarawa United, losing three and drawing two.

Lagos derby postponed

The first Lagos derby of the season between Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City has been postponed following a political event.

Sporting Lagos were scheduled to host Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in what would have been the first meeting between the two Lagos sides since the 2024/25 season.

The fixture had been expected to attract considerable attention, with supporters from across the city set to converge on the venue for one of the NPFL’s most anticipated local rivalries.