Survival chasers Remo Stars and continental hopefuls Shooting Stars left it late in their respective Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matches played on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Remo Stars, defending champions of the NPFL, scored late to beat Nasarawa United 2-1 in Ikenne, while the Oluyole Warriors claimed another late home win with a 3-2 triumph over Wikki Tourists to brighten their chances of a continental finish on the log at the end of the campaign. The two games were part of the extended Matchday 30 fixtures in the NPFL played across the country.
Remo Stars, for the second home game running ended the first-half in which the visitors had Ada Umar sent-off goalless before staging another fight in the second half. Stanley Joseph bundled home a goalmouth scramble from a corner to put his side in front in the 62nd minute.
The Solid Miners, who started the match day in the top four, rallied back to get back on level terms through substitute Dauda Suleiman. However, Usman Abd’Allah’s men would go ahead to score from another corner through Michael Ibe to snatch all three points in the 88th minute.
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars also needed a late winner to beat struggling Wikki Tourists at the Lekan Salami Stadium. Sodiq Ibrahim gave the hosts a bright start with the opener in the 17th minute, but the visitors equalised through Abba Musa. However, Emmanuel Lucky scored just before the break to restore Shooting’s lead.
The visitors levelled once again when John Taiwo sent a stunning finish into the top corner about ten minutes after the restart. Once again, Ayobami Junior weaved his magic from a late corner to set up Tijani Al-ameen for the game’s winning goal in the 89th minute. The win took the Oluyole Warriors to fourth on the log, same points as third-placed Nasarawa United.
In other results, it ended goalless between Kwara United and Rangers in Lagos, as well as the game between Niger Tornadoes and Kano Pillars in Minna. It also ended 1-1 between Elkanemi Warriors and Katsina United in Maiduguri. Thanks to two free-kick goals from Muhammad Umar, Barau FC beat Abia Warriors 2-0 in Kano.
Relegation-threatened Enyimba defeated ten-man Plateau United 2-0 in Aba to record their first league win in six matches. Paul Odeh and Chinedu Ufere with the goals for the former champions. In Yenagoa, Bayelsa United also beat Warri Wolves 2-1 to put them two points clear of the bottom zone.
Meanwhile, Bendel Insurance claimed a 2-1 win over Kun Khalifat earlier on Saturday, and league leaders Rivers United will take on Ikorodu City in Lagos on Monday in the match day’s final game.
