NPFL: Remo Stars, Rivers United maintain strong start

Remo Stars and Rivers United beat Rangers and Enyimba respectively to maintain their strong start to the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League season on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.

The Sky Blue Stars, who were on a three-game winning streak before coming into this match, secured yet another home win against the defending champions to maintain their lead at the top of the log.

After a goalless first half, Alex Oyowah scored the game’s first goal after a beautiful exchange of passes with Franck Mawuena. Moments later, the visitors restored parity from the penalty spot through Kenechukwu Agu before Michael Tochukwu’s long range strike beat Rangers goalie Lucky Abdullahi for the game’s winning goal.

The win took Remo Stars’ tally to 12 points – four wins out of four, while Rangers suffered their first league defeat of the season.

In Port Harcourt, the battle of former champions between Rivers United and Enyimba ended in yet another home win for the Pride of Rivers.

Friday Ubong handed Finidi George’s side the lead against his former side before youth product Seiyefa Jackson doubled the lead for Rivers United late in the second half to round off the win.

In other games played on Sunday, Niger Tornadoes and Bendel Insurance shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Minna. Jonas Emmanuel scored for the home side, while Vincent Okeke scored for the visitors.

In Maiduguri, Elkanemi came from two goals down to draw Plateau United. Victor Dawa and  Saka Gafar put the visitors in the driving seat before Ibrahim Mustapha halved the deficit in the final 20 minutes of the game. Samaila Bello then completed the comeback six minutes from time. Meanwhile, Akanni Akeem’s goal for Kwara United was cancelled out by Yahaya Ibrahim for Bayelsa United in Yenagoa.

Katsina United thrashed Lobi Stars 3-0 in Katsina. Azeez Falolu, Nazifi Yahaya, and Taofeeq Ahmed scored the goals in the one sided game.

Finally, Shooting Stars and Abia Warriors defeated Heartland and Kano Pillars respectively to complete the weekend’s results.