Rangers Back to Winning Way at Niger Tornadoes

*Remo Stars stay top with win over Akwa Utd

Femi Solaja

Defending Champions, Enugu Rangers are on the front foot after last week’s NPFL defeat at home as the Flying Antelopes nicked in a lone goal win away at Niger Tornadoes in Minna yesterday.

After enduring their second home defeat in the ongoing Nigerian topflight season against eternal rival, Shooting Stars of Ibadan last week, it was Bashiru Usman’s lone strike in the 34th minute that erased the memories of his penalty miss in Enugu and put the team back in front line for the title with 31 points from 19 matches.

In Ikenne, leaders, Remo Stars had to dig deep before they could secure a 2-1 win against Akwa United and the win return them to the summit on 36 points.

Shuaibu Ibrahim scored from the spot in the third minute but the side failed to double the lead with several wasted opportunities as the stadium went cold after the equaliser off Kabir Osoba with a well-measured freekick on the dot of half-time.

But deep into the second stanza, Raymond Tochukwu restored the home side’s lead with a free kick in the 81st minute.

While in Ibadan, Shooting Stars extended their fifth-match winning run with a lone goal win against visiting Kwara United of Ilorin.

The only goal of the match came off the boot of Adam Mustapha on the dot of half time.

In Lagos, Ikorodu City played their first of the two mandatory matches without their fans. Nonetheless, they secured a 2-1 win against Sunshine Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.

It was Shola Adelani who opened the score for the home side in the 39th minute but the lead was cancelled in the 45th minute. However, with time running out, the home side won a penalty deep into injury time which was converted again by Adelani.

El-Kanemi Warriors returned to winning ways with a lone-goal win over Kano Pillars. Umar Al Amin scored the only goal of the match in the 38th minute and the win thus pushed the side to fifth position with 29 points.

Azeez Faolu’s late goal in the 79th minute assured Katsina United the maximum points against Nasarawa United. Lobi Stars had to endure a goalless draw at home against Heartland FC and the result of the match did not have any meaningful impact on their respective position on the log.

Earlier on Saturday, Bayelsa United missed the opportunity to improve their position on the log as they were beaten by a lone goal by visiting Abia Warriors of Aba.

Kennedy Sheddy’s 35th-minute goal gave the side their first away win of the season.

This evening, former champions, Rivers United will attempt a catch-up at the top as they welcome Plateau United to their Port Harcourt home ground.

RESULTS

NPFL

El Kanemi 1-0 K’Pillars

Tornadoes 0-1 Rangers

Ikorodu City 2-1 Sunshine

Katsina Utd 1-0 Nasarawa

Lobi Stars 0-0 Heartland

Remo Stars 2-1 Akwa Utd

Shooting 1-0 Kwara Utd

PREMIER LEAGUE