Rangers and Enyimba close the gap on leaders Lobi Stars at the summit of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with valuable wins in the latest round of action on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Flying Antelopes hosted leaders Lobi Stars in Enugu, while Enyimba were up against Niger Tornadoes in Aba with the hope of staying within touching distance of the Pride of Benue at the top of the log.
Goals from Godwin Obaje and Kingsley Maduforo put Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men in the driving before Samuel Tiza’s consolation goal for the visitors in the second half.
In Aba, a more-composed second-half display was all Enyimba needed to beat Niger Tornadoes at the Enyimba Stadium. Alade Balogun, Akanni Elijah, and Uche Collins came off the bench to score for the defending champions before Azeez Akintunde grabbed a late consolation goal for the Ikon Allah Boys.
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars beat Remo Stars 2-0 to claim their first-ever league win over the Ikenne side in eight top-flight meetings. Christian Pyagbara scored in either half in front of a packed Lekan Salami Stadium to help the Oluyole Warriors extend their unbeaten run to six games.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Stars continued their fine form under Kennedy Boboye as they held Abia Warriors to a goalless draw in Umuahia. In Port-Harcourt, Rivers United laboured to a 1-0 win over Heartland. Williams Ukeme scored the game’s only goal.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, Sporting Lagos made it five consecutive league wins at home after beating Kwara United 2-0. Paschal Durugbor and defender Aliu Salawudeen scored for the Tech Boys. The Lagosians now have 34 points on the log – five points above the drop zone.
Bayelsa United and Katsina United came from a goal down against Kano Pillars and Plateau United respectively to claim important wins on Sunday. In Gombe, David Nnaji’s goal for Gombe United was cancelled out by Akwa United’s Sani Suleiman.
Finally, Bendel Insurance put four past Doma in Benin to compound the woes of the Savannah Tigers. Goals from Divine Nwachukwu, a brace Junior Osaghae, and an own goal from Nelson Abiam ensured the Benin Arsenals take all three points.
MD 26 FULL RESULTS
Rivers Utd 1-0 Heartland
Bayelsa Utd 2-1 Kano Pillars
Abia Warriors 0-0 Sunshine Stars
Rangers 2-1 Lobi Stars
Bendel Insurance 4-0 Doma Utd
Sporting Lagos 2-0 Kwara Utd
Enyimba 3-1 Tornadoes
Gombe Utd 1-1 Akwa Utd
Katsina Utd 2-1 Plateau Utd
3SC 2-0 Remo Stars
