AFCON 2025
Barau FC extended their unbeaten start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season, holding Sporting Lagos to a 1-1 draw at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday. The result took the league leaders through six matches without defeat and kept them clear at the summit with 12 points.
Sporting Lagos threatened an early breakthrough when Joel Ajibola turned home a rebound after goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu parried Aliyu Baba’s effort, but the assistant referee’s flag cut the celebration short for offside. Barau responded through Haruna Hadi, whose driving effort forced another save out of Nwabulu as the visitors began to assert themselves.
The breakthrough arrived in the 34th minute. Referee officials pointed to the spot after Stanley Oganbor was felled inside the box, and Joseph Atule stepped up to convert calmly, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to hand Barau a 1-0 lead at the interval. The goal was Atule’s second of the campaign.
Sporting Lagos pushed for an equaliser after the restart and got their reward on the hour mark. Sodiq Ayoade pounced on a loose ball inside the area to slot home and restore parity, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans who had waited all afternoon for a way back into the contest.
Both sides created further half-chances as the game opened up, but neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled again, and the points were shared as the match wound down at Onikan.
The draw extends Barau’s unbeaten sequence to six matches since their promotion to the top flight and keeps them two points clear of Rivers United and defending champions Enugu Rangers, both of whom have two games in hand. Sporting Lagos, who arrived on the back of a stirring 3-2 win over nine-time champions Enyimba in Aba, move up to seven points and ninth place.
