ENUGU Rangers survived a late fightback from South Eastern rivals Abia Warriors this evening to win 3-2 at home and remain on top of the Nigeria Premier Football League table.
NPFL champions Enyimba kept up their pursuit of the Flying Antelopes with a 1-0 victory over Heartland in another Eastern affair in Aba, while former leaders Lobi Stars fell 2-0 to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in Ibadan.
Saviour Isaac opened the scoring for Rangers with an early goal in the seventh minute but Abia Warriors went into the break level as Ojonugwa Adejoh struck just before half-time.
Kazeem Ogunleye restored Rangers’ lead three minutes into the second half and Chiedozie Okorie extended the advantage in the 62nd minute, but Pascal Nwabueze netted in stoppage time to ensure a nervy finish for the home side.
At the Enyimba Stadium, Ekene Awazie scored the only goal of the encounter nine minutes before half-time as Enyimba stay three points behind leaders Rangers and Heartland remain second from bottom, nine points from safety.
Lobi Stars are in third place, level on points with Enyimba after a 2-0 defeat in Ibadan to the in-form 3SC.
Alex Aghahowa netted early and Douglas Achiv scored 15 minutes from time to earn the Oluyole Warriors a 2-0 win that lifted them to fourth spot, two points adrift of Enyimba and Lobi Stars.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers United shook off the effects of their elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup to beat sixth-placed Plateau United 3-1 to move up to 17th but with six games in hand.
There were also home victories for Sporting Lagos (1-0 over Sunshine Stars), Bendel Insurance (2-1 over 10-man Kano Pillars) and Akwa United (4-1 over Niger Tornadoes) today.
The only away win today was secured by Kwara United, who defeated Gombe United 2-1 in Gombe, while Bayelsa United were held 1-1 at home by Katsina United.
NPFL RESULTS
Rangers 3-2 Abia Warriors
Enyimba 1-0 Heartland
Bendel Insurance 2-1 Kano Pillars
Gombe United 1-2 Kwara United
Bayelsa United 1-1 Katsina United
Sporting Lagos 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Akwa United 4-1 Niger Tornadoes
Rivers United 3-1 Plateau United
3SC 2-0 Lobi Stars
