Rangers International attacking pearl Ibrahim Olawoyin impressed once again in his side’s 3-0 win over Jigawa Golden Stars on Thursday in Enugu while erstwhile league leaders Akwa United were held by Abia Warriors.
Olawoyin was starting a home match for the first time since his return from injury and made his presence felt with a goal and involvement in the two other goals in the NPFL Match Day 23 encounter against the dogged Jigawa side.
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Rangers went in front in the 27th minute through forward Christian Nnaji. Olawoyin had picked up a short corner kick, before teeing up Tope Olusesi whose cross was well headed home by Nnaji.
The Flying Antelopes doubled their advantage shortly after the break through substitute Godspower Aniefiok. It was Olawoyin that was again brought down by a Jigawa defender after the winger had left him for dead, allowing Olusesi to once again deliver a free kick, powered home by Aniefiok.
Olawoyin however got in on the act himself to make the game absolutely sure for Rangers in the 57th minute, latching onto Ugochukwu Ugwuoke’s slide rule pass before finishing with aplomb from close range.
The win lifts Rangers to sixth position on the log with 37 points while Jigawa stay at 14th.
In Okigwe, Abia Warriors and ten-man Akwa United fought out a 0-0 draw, the second successive game that both sides have been involved in such stalemates.
Warriors held Rivers United in Port Harcourt on Sunday while Akwa United were inseparable against Rangers in Uyo on Monday. Neither side could again find the breakthrough in Thursday’s televised match.
Akwa United striker Charles Atshimene was sent off just after the hour mark but the Promise Keepers were able to keep their shape to earn a deserved point against Warriors who are now winless in their last three games.
Match Day 24 games will take centre stage on Sunday across different venues.
