NPFL ROUNDUP: Enugu Rangers go top after Oriental Derby win
Enugu Rangers are the new leaders of the NPFL after they won the ‘Oriental Derby’at Heartland and Lobi Stars were held to a draw at home by Bayelsa United.
The log.
How things stand after Match day 27 day 2:
▫️Rangers Int’l FC go top of the log.
▫️Akwa United FC move out of the drop zone.#NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/mPd0W9Wz1N
— NPFL News 🇳🇬 (@NPFL_News) March 24, 2024
Rangers now have 48 points from 27 matches and have now gone nine games unbeaten.
Rangers drew first blood in the 37th minute through Ifeanyi Onyekachi’s header off a Kelechi Nweke corner kick.
The provider then became goal scorer as Nweke got his 25-yard volley beyond Chisom Chiaha for Rangers’ second.
Heartland pulled one back in the 90th minute through Chukwuebuka Ogbonna but it was only a consolation as the game ended 2-1 with Rangers racing straight to the top of the standings.
Lobi Stars failed to maintain top spot after they were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Bayelsa United.
The away side ensured they spoilt the party for Lobi courtesy of a 79th minute equaliser by Kehinde Lawal after Sunday Chinedu’s 61st minute effort put the hosts in front.
Emmanuel Ogbole was the chief perpetrator as Enyimba were stunned by home team Kwara United 2-1.
Emmanuel’s brace did the damage as Ikenna Cooper goal couldn’t complete a comeback by the defending champions.
The late kick-off saw Remo Stars fly straight back third place courtesy of goals from Adams Olamilekan in the 80th minute, before Haruna Hadi doubled the lead despite the heroics of Amas Obasogie in the Bendel Insurancegoal.
Katsina United took on Abia Warriors in a game which could potentially see them move seventh if Shooting Stars do not win against Niger Tornadoes Monday.
They delivered with a 2-1 victory after they fought back with goals by Andrew Idoko and Azeez Falolu in the 50th and 58th minutes, respectively.
At the other end of the table, Akwa United boosted their survival hopes with a shock win at high-flying Plateau United.
The win momentarily lifted Akwa United outside the relegation zone after a game that was eventually decided by a spot-kick.
Gerome Heutcho gave Akwa United the lead after 10 minutes before two penalty goals.
Plateau United got their penalty in the 75th minute that was converted by Sunday Anthony to draw his side level, before Sanni Suleiman’s 90th minute penalty handed Akwa United all three points.
By Aboluwade God’s Treasure AGT
