Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) leaders Remo Stars staged a fightback to beat Abia Warriors 3-2 at the Remo Stars Stadium on Wednesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
In the Sky Blue Stars’ first home game of the second stanza of the 2024-25 campaign, the visitors went two nil up in the first half-hour when Ayodele Ezekiel headed home a Paul Samson’s corner and Anthony Ijoma fired into the bottom corner monents later.
Shocked by the goals, Remo Stars’ head coach Daniel Ogunmodede responded with three changes as Ibrahim Jabaar, Haruna Hadi, and Alex Oyowah all came on for Thankgod Ikeagwu, Fabian Nworie, and Emeka Nwokeji.
Jabbar, who decided the home game against Bayelsa last December for the Stars, breezed past a couple of challenges to set up Adedayo Olamilekan to halve the deficit in the 38th minute. In first half stoppage time, the electric Jabbar turned home a rebound to draw the hosts level before the break.
In other centres, Kennedy Boboye’s Akwa United dropped points in their second consecutive home game against Lobi Stars in Uyo. Onyekachi Okafor handed the Pride of Benue the lead in the first half before Friday Apollos scored the equalizer for the hosts. The Promise Keepers remain in the drop zone after 21 match days.
In Lagos, Ikorodu City thumped Kano Pillars 4-1 to return to winning ways. Winger Shola Adelani opened the scoring early on before Austin Harrison Uzondu doubled their advantage in the 20th minute. Pillars halved the deficit through Abba Adam – his third goal in two games.
After the break, Ikorodu City got two more goals via an own goal by Rabiu Ali and substitute Ayomide Cole’s cool finish. The win sent the Oga Boys into the top five ahead of their trip to Enugu at the weekend.
Defending champions Rangers International suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Elkanemi in Maiduguri. Nasiru Salibu scored on either side of Isaac Saviour’s goal to hand the Warriors their first three points of the second stanza.
In Yenagoa, Bayelsa United walloped Sunshine Stars 4-1 to return to winning ways at home. Mid-season recruit Ifeanyi Ogba scored a brace, while Ofem Eyong and Auwal Sodiq added to the goals. Adebayo Waheed scored Sunshine Stars’ only goal.
In the day’s final game, Shooting Stars defeated Nasarawa United 2-0 in Ibadan to continue their quest for a first league title in over two decades. Tijani Kabir and mid-season signing Sodiq Ibrahim scored the goals.
