Enugu Rangers secured top position in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following a 2-1 away victory over bottom placed Heartland of Owerri in the oriental derby on Sunday. Emmanuel Onyebuchi put Rangers in front in the 37th minute, and Kalu Nweke doubled the lead nine minutes after the break. The Fidelis Ilechukwu’s team remains unbeaten in the last nice games.
Lobi Stars dropped to second position on the table after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bayelsa United at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi on Sunday. Chinedu Chukwu put the home team in front a minute after the hour mark, but Bayelsa United levelled with Kehinde Malik scoring the equaliser in the 77th minute.
Remo Stars boosted their title chances with a 2-0 win over Bendel Insurance in Ikenne. Olamilekan Adebayo broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, and Hadi Haruna put icing on the cake for Remo seven minutes later.
In Ilorin, champions Enyimba fell to a 2-1 defeat against Kwara United. Emmanuel Ogbole scored both goals for the Afonja Warriors, while Ikenne Cooper was on target for Enyimba.
In Jos, Akwa United recorded their first away win of the season following a 2-1 victory over Plateau United on Sunday. Cameroon defender, Gerome Heutchou opened scoring for the visitors 10 minutes into the game, while Sunday Anthony equalised for Plateau United from the penalty spot in the 77th minute. However, Sani Suleiman secured all three points for the visitors after scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
On Saturday, Kano Pillars defeated Sporting Lagos 1-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium to end their five games winless run. Umar Mustapha scored the only goal three minutes after the break.
At the Pantami Stadium, Doma United and Gombe United settled for a 1-1 draw in the Gombe derby on Saturday. Gombe United took the lead through David Nnaji on 12 minutes, but Musa Usman equalised for Doma United in the 64th minute. Doma United remain without a win in all their last 10 games, while Gombe United are winless in their last six matches.
Niger Tornadoes will host Shooting Stars of Ibadan in the last game of match-day 27 on Monday.
FULL RESULTS
Katsina Utd 2-1 Abia Warriors
Heartland 1-2 Rangers
Lobi Stars 1-1 Bayelsa Utd
Kwara Utd 2-1 Enyimba
Plateau Utd 1-2 Akwa Utd
Remo Stars 2-0 Bendel Insurance
Doma United 1-1 Gombe United
Kano Pillars 1-0 Sporting Lagos
