Barau claimed a convincing 3-1 victory over Nasarawa United in the opening matchday of the NPFL regular season on Saturday. The result leaves the home side sitting second in the table with three points from one game, while the visitors find themselves 18th on zero points after their first defeat of the campaign.
Barau have shown consistency in their recent form, with only one loss in their last five matches across all competitions. That defeat came against Shooting Stars in May, while they've secured victories over Sunshine Stars U19 and, notably, Nasarawa United themselves in a 3-0 win earlier this year.
Nasarawa United's recent record has been mixed. They picked up wins against Playto United and drew with both Ikorodu City and Rivers United, but those results have not translated into points in this new season. The visitors had already suffered a heavy defeat to Barau in May, and this result extends that poor run against their opponents.
The opening day result means Barau hold a three-point advantage at this stage of the competition. For Nasarawa United, the challenge begins immediately — they need to find consistency after a season that started with defeat and will require a swift response to climb away from the bottom of the table.
Barau's performance suggests they fancy their chances this term. Having beaten Nasarawa United comfortably before and showing resilience in other fixtures, the home side appear to have the foundation to build on. The visitors, meanwhile, must address the issues that led to their opening day setback if they hope to avoid a difficult campaign.