Enugu Rangers claimed a 2:1 victory over Nasarawa United in the third round of Nigeria's National Professional Football League on Thursday morning. The result moves the hosts off the bottom of the table after three games, while the visitors remain in 13th place with three points from two fixtures.
The opening half provided the drama, and here's the thing — it came in waves rather than sustained pressure. S. Dapma gave Enugu Rangers the lead in the 39th minute, then C. Iwundu equalised just two minutes later in the 41st. A yellow card followed in the 43rd, though the identity of the recipient isn't recorded in the match data. To be fair, that brief period of intensity set the tone for what followed.
Nasarawa United looked comfortable for much of the second half, but the match turned in the 89th minute when a late goal secured all three points for the home side. By then, the visitors had been out of sight for long stretches, and the result felt inevitable once that final strike landed. The yellow card from the opening half seemed to have little lasting impact on the flow of play.
Enugu Rangers arrive at this result having ground out a draw in their opener, following two consecutive 1:1 draws earlier in the season. Their recent record includes victories against Ikoro City and Bendel Insurance, but consistency has been elusive. Nasarawa United, meanwhile, have experienced the highs and lows of a mixed campaign — a clean sheet win against Bendel Insurance, a heavy 1:3 defeat to Barau, and several hard-fought draws.
The table tells only part of the story. Enugu Rangers sit 16th with a single point from one game, while Nasarawa United's three points from two matches places them ahead despite having played more football. The goal difference and points gap suggest a league where margins remain razor-thin in these opening rounds.
