By George Akpayen
High-flying Remo Stars returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following their 2-0 win over Kwara United on Sunday.
A goal in each half from Adedayo Olamilekan and Samad Kadiri ensured that the Sky Blue Stars go top of the standings for another match after Doma United had taken number one position after a 1-0 win over Kano Pillars a day earlier. Emmanuel Ekpeyong scored on 11 minutes for Doma United.
Third-placed Lobi Stars failed to keep the pace on the top-two, Remo Stars and Doma United, after losing one-nil at Akwa United. Seyi Oguntayo fired in from way out just before the break to give Akwa United a win that takes them out of the bottom-four until Matchday 14 with pressure still mounting on their head coach Fatai Osho owing to their dismal start to the campaign.
Title-holders Enyimba dispatched Abia Warriors in the Abia Derby to go fourth and four points behind the league leaders with a game in hand. Eze Ekwutoziam and Chidiebere Nnachi raced into a two-goal lead on 40 and 58 minutes respectively before Augustine Njoku’s late strike in added time before full-time proved too little, too late for Abia Warriors.
Abba Umar scored the fastest goal so far this season when he fired Gombe United in front after 26 seconds against Heartland at the Pantami Stadium. Chijioke Alaekwe followed up with only his second goal of the campaign on 57 minutes for Gombe United to triumph 2-0.
Benjamin Tanimu’s goal from the spot on four minutes proved sufficient for Bendel Insurance to edge past Sunshine Stars who are recovering from the trauma of armed attack during their trip to Benin City for the match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Bayelsa United returned to winning ways for the first time in seven matches (W1 D4 L1). They defeated Rangers 2-0 through goals from Kehinde Lawal and Ekeson Okorie on 41 and 80 minutes while 3SC played out a 1-1 draw at home to Katsina United. Andrew Idoko opened scoring for Katsina United on nine minutes before Taofeek Malomo levelled score six minutes later.
Plateau United claimed their first away victory in a five-goal thriller at Niger Tornadoes. The Jos club defeated Tornadoes 3-2 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna. Harrison Ebah started the scoring for United on three minutes before Bashir Usman netted a double on 52 and 71 minutes. Albert Hilary and Silas Nenrot helped Plateau United complete the comeback with late goals on 76 and 84 minutes respectively.