NPFL: Rangers hammer Remo Stars as Rivers United stay top
The top two positions in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) remained unchanged after Matchday 29 fixtures played yesterday, with Rivers United and Rangers International securing emphatic victories to maintain
The top two positions in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) remained unchanged after Matchday 29 fixtures played yesterday, with Rivers United and Rangers International securing emphatic victories to maintain their grip at the summit.
While the title race at the top stayed steady, Nasarawa United and Abia Warriors made notable moves into the top four following crucial home wins, tightening the contest for continental places.
League leaders Rivers United maintained their position at the summit with a convincing 3–1 victory over Bendel Insurance at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Samuel Wisdom continued his rich scoring form, netting once again to make it three goals in his last two matches. Chijioke Mbaoma and Obi Samson also found the target for the Pride of Rivers as they moved to 52 points with two games in hand.
Bendel Insurance pulled one back but were unable to halt Rivers United’s momentum as they remain sixth on 41 points.
The Pride of Rivers will next travel to Abeokuta for their rescheduled fixture against Shooting Stars on Thursday.
At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, Rangers International extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a commanding 4–1 victory over Remo Stars.
Kenneth Igboke opened the scoring early in the 4th minute before Chidozie Iwundu doubled the lead just four minutes later. Remo Stars briefly threatened a comeback when Franck Kingue scored in stoppage time of the first half (45+2'), but Rangers regained full control.
Wisdom Ebirim added the third in the 62nd minute, while Igboke completed his brace deep into stoppage time (90+4') to seal an emphatic win.
The Flying Antelopes remain second with 50 points, while the heavy defeat plunged Remo Stars to the bottom of the table with 30 points.
In Lafia, Nasarawa United needed a late moment of brilliance to edge Ikorodu City 1–0.
Bright Amadi’s stunning 83rd -minute free-kick proved decisive, lifting the Solid Miners to third place with 47 points. Ikorodu City, meanwhile, have now gone three matches without a win and slipped to fifth with 45 points.
Abia Warriors continued their impressive home run with a 2–0 victory over Shooting Stars in Umuahia.
Emeka Obioma scored twice, first in the 18th minute before completing his brace in the 55th minute to secure successive home wins for the Umuchineke Boys.
The victory lifted Abia Warriors to fourth place with 46 points, while Shooting Stars dropped to seventh with 41 points.
The Kano derby lived up to expectations as Kano Pillars edged Barau FC 1–0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa produced a spectacular strike in the 57th minute, a goal that proved decisive and lifted Pillars out of the relegation zone to 15th place with 35 points.
Barau FC slipped slightly to 12th with 37 points.
Meanwhile, Warri Wolves compounded Enyimba’s struggles with a 2–1 victory in Ozoro as Qudus Olayinola converted a 71st -minute penalty while Latti Yusuf added another goal five minutes later (76').
Enyimba pulled one back through Chidera Michael’s stoppage-time penalty, but it proved too late.The Seasiders climbed to ninth with 39 points, while the People’s Elephant dropped into the relegation zone for the first time this season with 33 points.
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In Owerri, Kun Khalifat secured a crucial 1–0 victory over Bayelsa United.
Uchechukwu Onuoha scored the only goal of the match in the 45th minute, a result that lifted the club from the bottom to 19th with 32 points. Bayelsa United dropped to 16th with 34 points.
Wikki Tourists produced a spirited comeback to defeat El Kanemi Warriors 2–1 in Jos.Daddy Abdulrahman had given El Kanemi an early lead in the 2nd minute, but Klinkshak Longback equalised just before halftime (45+1'). Imamu Bala completed the turnaround in the 52nd minute.The victory lifted Wikki out of the drop zone to 14th with 35 points, while El Kanemi remain eighth with 41 points.
Kwara United strengthened their survival bid with a 2–1 away victory over Katsina United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
The Harmony Boys secured their second consecutive win in recent matches, though they remain in the relegation zone in 18th place with 32 points following a difficult run earlier in the campaign.
Plateau United gained a measure of revenge against Niger Tornadoes with a convincing 3–0 victory in Jos.
Temitope Vincent opened the scoring in the 7th minute, Isaiah Sunday doubled the advantage in the 38th minute, and Nenrot Silas wrapped up the win in stoppage time (90+2').
The win lifted the Peace Boys to 10th place with 39 points, while Niger Tornadoes sit 13th with 35 points.
The defeat also increases pressure on Tornadoes head coach Majin Mohammed, whose three-game ultimatum began with this loss.
NPFL: Matchday 29 Results
Kano Pillars 1–0 Barau FC
Rangers 4–1 Remo Stars
Abia Warriors 2–0 Shooting Stars
Plateau United 3–0Tornadoes
Warri Wolves 2–1 Enyimba
Kun Khalifat 1–0 Bayelsa United
Rivers United 3–1Insurance
Nasarawa United 1–0 Ikorodu City
Katsina United 1–2 Kwara United
Wikki Tourists 2–1 El Kanemi
