NPFL Match Day 4: 6 Wins, 3 Draws, 13 Goals As Remo Goes Top, Winless Akwa Utd Stays Bottom

Remo Stars moved to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League after securing a 2-1 victory over Sporting Lagos on Sunday in a thrilling South West Derby at the Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne.

Jonathan Alukwu scored the opener for Sporting Lagos in the 21st minute before Franck Mawuena leveled the score 1-1 for Remo Stars in the 31st minute. Sikiru Alimi scored the winning goal from the penalty spot for the home side in the 48th minute after Sporting’s captain, Ozaveche Balogun handled the ball in his box.

At the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, Kano Pillars defeated 10-man Rivers United 1-0, with 43-year-old Rabiu Ali 93rd minute strike giving Sai Masu Gida all three points against the Pride of Rivers.

At their new home in Eket, Akwa United’s winless run this season continued after they were held to a goalless draw by visiting Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan. It was Shooting’s first away point of the season moving them to 4th on the table.

In Ilorin, seven-time NPFL champions Enugu Rangers moved to third position after playing out a 1-1 draw against home side Kwara United at the Ilorin Township Stadium.

Kazim Ogunleye put the Flying Antelope ahead in the 34th minute before Alao Mohammed netted the equaliser in the 56th minute for Kwara United.

Lobi Stars extended their unbeaten run in the league with a comfortable 2-0 win over Abia Warriors at the Aper Aku stadium in Makurdi.

Liman Amadou 15th minute strike gave the hosts the lead before midfielder Alao Danbani doubled their advantage in the 25th minute to move the Makurdi-based club to second spot with two wins and two draws this season.

Gombe United handed Bendel Insurance their first defeat of the season with a 1-0 win at the Pantami Township Stadium after Ahmed Jimoh scored the winner in the 51st minute of the game.

Heartland FC of Owerri continued their winless run this season after playing out a 1-1 draw against visiting Katsina United in Okigwe.

Christian Nnaemeka strike put the Naze Millionaires ahead before Michael Ibe scored the equaliser for Katsina United in the 72nd minute.

Plateau United secured a narrow 1-0 win over Sunshine Stars of Akure at the New Jos Stadium with Albert Hilary scoring the only goal of the encounter to earn the former champions their second win of the season.

In the only NPFL match played on Saturday, Niger Tornadoes pipped Bayelsa United 1-0 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Yahuza Bala got the only goal in the second half of the encounter from a well fed pass from Idris Saidu to earn the Ikon Allah Boys a much needed victory over the Prosperity Boys from Yenagoa.

FULL RESULTS
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Bayelsa United
Remo Stars 2-1 Sporting Lagos
Kano Pillars 1-0 Rivers United
Akwa United 0-0 Shooting Stars
Kwara United 1-1 Enugu Rangers
Lobi Stars 2-0 Abia Warriors
Gombe United 1-0 Bendel Insurance
Heartland FC 1-1 Katsina United
Plateau United 1-0 Sunshine Stars

TABLE

Pos Team P W D L +/- PTS

1. Remo Stars 4 3 0 1 1 9
2. Lobi Stars 4 2 2 0 3 8
3. Enugu Rangers 4 2 1 1 1 7
4. Shooting Stars 4 2 1 1 0 7
5. Bendel Ins. 3 2 0 1 2 6
6. Gombe Utd 4 2 0 2 0 6
7. Tornadoes 4 2 0 2 0 6
8. Plateau Utd 4 2 0 2 0 6
9. Kano Pillars 4 2 0 2 0 6
10. 10 Abia Warriors 4 2 0 2 -1 6
11. Sport Lagos 4 1 2 1 1 5
12. Katsina Utd 4 1 2 1 0 5
13. Kwara Utd. 4 1 2 1 0 5
14. Doma United 3 1 1 1 1 4
15. Rivers Utd 4 1 1 2 0 4
16. Sunshine 4 1 1 2 -1 4
17. Heartland 4 0 3 1 -1 3
18. Enyimba 2 1 0 1 -1 3
19. Bayelsa Utd 4 1 0 3 -2 3
    20 Akwa Utd 4 0 2 2 -3 2