Ikorodu City returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) standings after edging past Abia Warriors 1-0 on Sunday.
Playing in front of their home fans at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos, City knew that a win of any kind could propel them back to the top of the table by superior goals difference provided Nasarawa United dropped all points.
It turned out to be cagey contest and the first half ended scoreless.
However on 69 minutes, Chidera Oparaoacha benefited from a schoolboy goalkeeping to score the goal that lifted the Oga Boys not just above Abia Warriors but to the top of the table.
Nasarawa United who began the matchweek on top of the pile failed to avoid defeat at the Southern Delta University Stadium in Ozoro where Warri Wolves won 1-0.
Othuke Egbo’s early goal on five minutes was enough for Wolves to claim the full points on the return of their suspended head coach, Napoleon Aluma.
BRAGGING RIGHTS GOES TO PEOPLE’S ELEPHANT
In the Oriental Derby, two of the country’s most decorated side in the NPFL, Enyimba and Rangers International clashed at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba. Both teams have 17 NPFL titles between them with Enyimba eyeing a 10th.
It was however Enyimba that came out tops by winning 2-1 after going two goals up through Chidera Michael (42′) and Stanley Dimgba (81′).
Rangers left it too late before pulling one back through Kenechukwu Agu who curled in a free kick inside added time of the second half.
BATTLE IN THE BOTTOM-FOUR
The matchweek was not all about the battle for places in top of the table, as Bendel Insurance, Barau FC, Kun Khalifat FC and Plateau United all aimed to stay above the drop zone.
It was new boys Kun Khalifat FC who stunned Plateau United 2-0 to take their place above the bottom-four.
Second half goals from Lekan Gabriel and Henry Ezeonye condemned Plateau United to defeat and meant they dropped into the danger zone after starting the matchday above it.
On Saturday, Bendel Insurance had temporarily climbed out of the bottom-four following a 3-0 win over Wikki Tourists with goals from Chinedu Nwosu, Emmanuel Dung and Emmanuel Akpan. But all that changed on Sunday after Kun Khalifat’s win.
Barau FC also pinned in the bottom-four had to give everything to edge past a determined Kwara United in a thrilling contest at the San Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Stanley Oganbor’s late header rendered Kwara United’s fight of little value as Barau FC ran out 3-2 winners. Barau FC had led twice through Usman Maidubji (19′) and Muhammad Umar (43′) while Kwara United fought back with goals from Chibuzor Eze Ogbodo (40’) and Aule Johnmark (49’).
OTHER GAMES
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) did enough to get past El-Kanemi Warriors with their low block style. Ismail Ayodele netted on 29 minutes and that proved sufficient for Nurudeen Aweroro’s men to take the full points.
The champions, Remo Stars, suffered their seventh of the season when they lost 0-1 at Niger Tornadoes. Clinton Jephta scored the goal.
After a lengthy delay in commencement due to heavy rainfall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa United and Katsina United shared points in a 1-1 draw.
Both goals were scored in the first half. Ifeanyi Ogba put Bayelsa United in front on seven minutes from the spot before Azeez Falolu levelled the score for Katsina United on 36 minutes.
The season continues with two rearranged fixtures this midweek. Shooting Stars play hosts to Remo Stars while Rivers United who have been busy lately in the CAF Champions League face bottom-placed Kano Pillars.