Things are shaping up in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after Matchday 25 were concluded in midweek with Remo Stars opening a 10-point lead over the chasing pack. The Sky Blue Stars had to work hard to earn a 2-0 win over Kwara United through two late goals in the final 10 minutes. Substitutes Samuel Anakwe and Hadi Haruna made sure Daniel Ogunmodede’s men stay in the hunt for a first-ever title.
The chasing pack and title contenders, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Rivers United and Rangers all dropped points to hand Remo Stars a healthy advantage at the top of the standings with 13 matchweeks to go. Champions Rangers suffered a 1-0 defeat at Southeast rivals Abia Warriors through a first half goal from Antoine Ijoma while Rivers United, touted at the outset of this campaign as main contenders failed to hold on to a one-goal lead after Abson Mare rescued a point for Akwa United who watched in horror as their former striker Ubong Friday handed Rivers United the lead inside seven minutes. The draw leaves former champions Akwa United deep in relegation line.
The bid of second-placed 3SC to close the gap at the top suffered a setback in Ibadan where bottom-placed Lobi Stars surprisingly held them to a 2-2 draw. Ossy Martins scored twice for Lobi who turned things around after Joshua Akpan had given 3SC the lead. Sodiq Ibrahim levelled the score on 52 minutes as the Oluyole Warriors failed to capitalise on a man advantage in the final 13 minutes after Martins was sent off for a second booking.
El-Kanemi Warriors, Sunshine Stars and Bayelsa United all played draws at home against Bendel Insurance, Kano Pillars and Nasarawa United respectively. El-Kanemi and Bendel Insurance played out a goalless draw while Eshimutu Gomino’s late goal helped Kano Pillars earn a point at Sunshine Stars whose goal was scored by Chidozie Iwundu in a 1-1 draw.
Nasarawa United were just seconds away from their second win on the road this season before Ifeanyi Ogba’s goal salvaged a point for Bayelsa United in a 2-2 draw. Idris Ajiya’s brace could only earn the Solid Miners a point.
Niger Tornadoes and Ikorodu City came from behind to defeat Heartland and Plateau United respectively with identical 2-1 scorelines. Ismail Sarki scored two second half goals for Tornadoes to make Terdoo Shimangade’s strike irrelevant while City needed late goals from Olatunji Abdulmalik and Tosin Oyedokun to turn things around against Plateau United who took the lead in the first half through Albert Hillary.
Record NPFL winners Enyimba continued their inconsistent form losing 1-2 at Katsina United. Lukman Bello scored twice before Ekene Awazie netted late in the game for the People’s Elephant.
Matchday 26 will take place next midweek following Federation Cup competition taking place this weekend at state level.