NPFL Matchday 5 takes centre stage on Wednesday as Enyimba face Sporting Lagos, Barau FC host Abia Warriors and nine fixtures are played across Nigeria.
NPFL Matchday 5 brings a packed Wednesday schedule, with Enyimba facing Sporting Lagos, Barau FC hosting Abia Warriors and seven other fixtures taking place across the country on September 23, 2026.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has confirmed that Wednesday will feature nine Matchday 5 fixtures, with the remaining game between Rivers United and Kun Khalifat FC scheduled for Thursday. The league has also released the match officials and broadcast arrangements for the midweek programme.
NPFL Matchday 5 Fixtures for Wednesday
The Wednesday programme starts at 4pm across the different venues, giving supporters a full day of domestic football action.
Barau FC will welcome Abia Warriors to the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, while Bendel Insurance take on Ikorodu City at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Champions Rangers will host Ranchers Bees at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. Kwara United will face Nasarawa United at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin, while Niger Tornadoes take on Warri Wolves at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna.
The remaining fixtures are Shooting Stars against Katsina United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Doma United against Plateau United at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, Inter Lagos against Kano Pillars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos and Enyimba against Sporting Lagos at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba.
The league’s schedule means nine matches will be played on Wednesday before Rivers United and Kun Khalifat complete Matchday 5 on Thursday, September 24, at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Enyimba vs Sporting Lagos Takes Centre Stage
One of the most closely watched fixtures will be Enyimba’s meeting with Sporting Lagos in Aba.
Enyimba head into the match under pressure after losing their opening three league games. The nine-time Nigerian champions were beaten by Inter Lagos at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday, leaving them as the only team yet to collect a point after three matches at the time of the league’s Matchday 5 preview.
The NPFL noted that Enyimba had scored only once and conceded five goals in those three matches. The club’s difficult beginning also marked its worst start in the top division, according to the league.
Sporting Lagos have also experienced an uneven opening to the campaign. They began with a 2-0 defeat at Doma United, responded with a 3-0 victory over city rivals Inter Lagos and then suffered a 2-0 home loss to Abia Warriors.
That leaves both sides with plenty at stake in Aba, although their circumstances are different. Enyimba are looking for their first points, while Sporting Lagos are attempting to build consistency after alternating between wins and defeats.
Barau FC Face Abia Warriors in Kano
Barau FC will also attract attention when Abia Warriors arrive in Kano.
Barau entered Matchday 5 in second position after collecting eight points from their opening four matches. Doma United were top with nine points, meaning another positive result could put Barau at the summit depending on the outcome of Doma United’s meeting with Plateau United.
Abia Warriors, meanwhile, travel to Kano after recording their first victory of the campaign. They defeated Sporting Lagos 2-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena over the weekend, giving the team five points from four matchesThe fixture therefore brings together a Barau side that has made a strong start and an Abia Warriors team coming off an important away victory .
Match Officials and Broadcast Schedule
The NPFL has also published the officials assigned to Wednesday’s fixtures.Haruna Kalshingi will referee Barau FC versus Abia Warriors, with Shehu Isah and Nurah Ali as assistant referees and Jimoh Abdulrasheed as fourth official.Enyimba versus Sporting Lagos will be handled by referee Isah Aliyu, assisted by Ahmad Mohammed Bagudu and Rabiu Mohammed Idris, with Amos Onunwor serving as fourth official.
Other appointments include Mohammed Zakari for Rangers versus Ranchers Bees, Musibaudeen Ibrahim for Kwara United versus Nasarawa United and Abdulganiyu Abdulmalik for Niger Tornadoes versus Warri Wolves.
For supporters unable to attend the stadium, the NPFL has confirmed selected broadcast options. Shooting Stars versus Katsina United will be shown live on the NPFL YouTube channel, while Inter Lagos versus Kano Pillars will be available live on Afro Soccer.
The remaining listed Wednesday fixtures are not marked for live broadcast in the league’s official schedule. All Wednesday matches are scheduled for 4pm
What to Expect From Wednesday’s NPFL Action
With the table still taking shape early in the 2026/27 campaign, Matchday 5 could bring important movement at both ends.
Doma United will try to protect top spot against Plateau United after their 1-4 defeat to Kano Pillars last weekend. Rangers, meanwhile, are looking for another win after their 4-2 victory over Kun Khalifat, while Kano Pillars enter their meeting with Inter Lagos having scored nine goals in three league games, the highest tally recorded by any team at that stage.
For Enyimba, the focus is more immediate: ending a three-game losing run and getting their first points of the season. Sporting Lagos will have their own response to make after the setback against Abia Warriors.
With nine matches scheduled across Nigeria, Wednesday’s NPFL programme offers another significant chapter in the early race for points, with the final Matchday 5 fixture following in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
