- Agency Report
Barau Football Club on Friday recorded a resounding 4–1 victory over Rivers United in a rescheduled Matchday Five fixture of the Nigerian Premier Football League.
The encounter, played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano, marked Barau FC’s final home game of the first stanza of the 2025/2026 NPFL season.
Rivers United took an early lead in the fourth minute, but the hosts responded strongly as midfielder Usman Maidubji equalised from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, scoring his second goal of the season.
Barau FC completed the turnaround just before halftime when Jimmy Ambrose found the net in the 45th minute to give the Kano-based side a 2–1 advantage at the break.
The hosts extended their dominance in the second half through substitute Kabir Abdullahi, a former Rivers United player, who struck twice in the 64th and 72nd minutes.
The goals, his first of the season, sealed a comprehensive victory for Barau FC.
The result represents Barau FC’s biggest win in Nigeria’s top flight this season and also inflicted Rivers United’s heaviest defeat of the campaign.
With the win, Barau FC climbed to 16th position on the NPFL standings with 20 points from 17 matches, moving out of the relegation zone.
Midfielder Muhammad Umar was named Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.
Speaking at a post-match news conference, Barau FC Technical Adviser, Ladan Bosso, commended the resilience and commitment of his players and commended the club’s management for their continued support.
Bosso said the team would intensify preparations for the remaining first-round fixtures, expressing optimism about pushing for a continental ticket.
The Kano side will next travel to Lafia to face Nasarawa United on Matchday 18 before concluding the first round away to Niger Tornadoes in Minna. NAN