Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers and Bayelsa United enjoyed convincing wins of three-goal margins over Lobi Stars and Niger Tornadoes respectively in Wednesday’s schedule of the country’s top division.
The Flying Antelopes put up a first half show and practically cruised to a 3-0 lead before half-time through goals from Frank Uwumiro (26’), Kenneth Igboke (30’) and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (44’). The three first half goals were enough to earn the champions the full points and elevate them into third place on 23 points. Rangers are now unbeaten in their last seven NPFL matches (W3 D4).
Former champions, Bayelsa United had four different goalscorers against Niger Tornadoes. Emo James, Wisdom Magbisa, Sadiq Auwal and Rabiu Abdullahi scored for Ladan Bosso’s team as they went into a four-goal lead just after the hour mark. Williams Sunday scored a late consolation on 81 minutes for Tornadoes to end the match 4-1.
Title-chasing Remo Stars saw off their Southwest rivals, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) 2-0 at their home ground in Ikenne. Sikiru Alimi’s goal from the spot in first half added time set the tone for the victory before Olamilekan Adedayo scored on 67 minutes from a follow-up after Franck Mawuena’s headed attempt was kept out by 3SC goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal. Before then 3SC defender Taiye Muritala was sent off on 42 minutes, leaving the Ibadan club to navigate the second half with a numerical disadvantage of being a man down.
The win ended a three-game winless streak for the Sky Blue Stars who return to the summit of the NPFL in what has been a back-and-forth swing at the top of the standings with Rivers United.
Rivers United, who began the matchweek as league leaders, dropped points at Sunshine Stars. Finidi George’s side got an early lead on three minutes through Timothy Zachariah and held on for 58 minutes before Promise Awosanmi levelled the score for the home side. The match ended 1-1 as Rivers United slipped to second place due to their inferior goals for despite having same points and same goals difference with Remo Stars.
New boys, Ikorodu City continued their fine run of form with a 2-0 win over Cup holders El-Kanemi Warriors at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos. Second half goals from Shola Adelani and Ayo Cole on 62 and 77 minutes respectively earned the Oga Boys the full points and extended their streak without losing to five (W4 D1). They now sit in fifth place on 21 points, five behind leaders Remo Stars.
Akwa United and Kwara United won by slim margins of 1-0 each against Plateau United and Heartland respectively. Akwa United won deep inside added time in the second half when Friday Apollos volleyed home. Emmanuel Ogbole scored the goal that won Kwara United the full points against Heartland.
After a four-match losing streak, Nasarawa United finally returned to winning ways with a 2-1 success over bottom-placed Bendel Insurance. Victor Collins scored from close range off Anas Yusuf’s assist on nine minutes for the Solid Miners. The lead lasted only 15 minutes as Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi equalized for Insurance.
A goal in each half from Anthony Ijoma and Ojonugwa Adejoh helped Abia Warriors to a 2-0 win against Katsina United who finish the match with a man light one of their players was sent off for a second booking on 80 minutes.
The NPFL will continue this weekend with Matchday 15.
MATCHDAY 14 RESULTS
Nasarawa Utd 2-1 Bendel Insurance #NASBEN #NPFL25
Victor Collins 9’, Qamar Adegoke 51’ – Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi 24’
Kwara Utd 1-0 Heartland #KWAHEA #NPFL25
Emmanuel Ogbole 21’
Rangers 3-0 Lobi #RANLOB #NPFL25
Frank Uwumiro 26’, Kenneth Igboke 30’, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi 44’
Sunshine Stars 1-1 Rivers Utd #SUNRIV #NPFL25
Promise Awosanmi 61’ – Timothy Zachariah 3’
Abia Warriors 2-0 Katsina Utd #ABIKAT #NPFL25
Anthony Ijoma 45+’, Ojonugwa Adejoh 90’
Remo Stars 2-0 3SC #REMSHO #NPFL25
Sikiru Alimi 45+’ (PEN), Olamilekan Adedayo 67’
Bayelsa Utd 4-1 Tornadoes #BAYTOR #NPFL25
Emo James 16’, Wisdom Magbisa 23’, Sadiq Auwal 48’, Rabiu Abdullahi 62’ – Williams Sunday 81’
Ikorodu City 2-0 El-Kanemi #IKDELK #NPFL25
Shola Adelani 62’, Ayo Cole 77’
Akwa Utd 1-0 Plateau Utd #AKWPLA #NPFL25
Friday Apollos 90+’