Barau FC move top of NPFL after Abia Warriors win

Atule and Ayoola secure victory as Barau maintain unbeaten start

Barau FC moved to the top of the 2026-27 Nigeria Premier Football League table after a 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

Joseph Atule opened the scoring in the 21st minute before substitute Ibrahim Ayoola added a second shortly after the interval to give the hosts another three points.

The victory extended Barau’s unbeaten start to five league matches and lifted the Maliya Boys to the summit after Matchday 5.

Barau entered the contest having avoided defeat in their first four league fixtures, recording two wins and two draws.

Their latest success continued that steady beginning to life in the campaign.

Abia Warriors, meanwhile, were unable to build on their 2-0 away victory over Sporting Lagos at the weekend.

Atule gives Barau the lead

Barau made the brighter start and their pressure eventually produced the opening goal after 21 minutes.

Atule found the net to put the hosts ahead and give them a platform from which to control the remainder of the first half.

Abia Warriors attempted to respond but could not find a way through Barau’s defence.

The Kano side protected their advantage until the interval, leaving the visitors needing to produce a stronger second-half performance if they were to take anything from the match.

Barau, however, remained in control and continued to threaten as they looked to increase their lead.

Ayoola seals another three points

Barau coach Eugene Agagbe made a change at the start of the second half, introducing Ibrahim Ayoola.

The substitute quickly justified his introduction.

Ayoola doubled Barau’s advantage in the 61st minute, putting the hosts firmly in control and leaving Abia Warriors with a difficult task during the final stages.

The visitors were unable to find a response as Barau’s defence maintained its clean sheet.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory and another important result for a team that has yet to lose in the league this season.

Barau’s unbeaten run reaches five matches

The result represents another step forward for Barau following their consistent opening to the campaign.

Before facing Abia Warriors, the Maliya Boys had collected eight points from their first four matches, including two home victories and two away draws.

A goalless draw against Ikorodu City in their previous league fixture had kept Barau unbeaten, and Wednesday’s victory ensured that record remained intact.

The latest three points have now taken the Kano club to the top of the standings.

For Abia Warriors, the defeat halted the momentum generated by their win against Sporting Lagos and left them without a point from the trip to Kano.

Sporting Lagos next for Barau

Barau have little time to celebrate their latest victory, with another away match already approaching.

The Maliya Boys will travel to Lagos on Saturday, 26 September, to face Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

That match will provide another test of Barau’s unbeaten record away from home.

Sporting Lagos will enter the game after their own impressive result on Wednesday, when they defeated Enyimba 3-2 in Aba.

Barau will then face another away fixture against Bendel Insurance on 4 October.

The busy schedule means Agagbe’s side will have to maintain its concentration if it is to preserve its position at the top of the table.

For now, however, Barau can celebrate another disciplined performance and a fifth consecutive league match without defeat.

With Atule and Ayoola providing the goals and the defence keeping another clean sheet, the Maliya Boys have made an unbeaten start and moved to the summit of the NPFL.