ENUGU Rangers climbed to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) today with a 2-0 win over South-Eastern neighbours Heartland, while Bendel Insurance knocked Remo Stars off the summit with a 1-0 victory in Benin City.
There were also victories for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Abia Warriors, Doma United and champions Enyimba.
In their temporary Awka home, Rangers saw off their fierce Oriental rivals with goals from Kazeem Ogunleye inside the first two minutes and Kenneth Igboke 12 minutes after the restart.
The win took Ranges to the top of the standings with 13 points, just ahead of second-placed 3SC on goal difference.
The Oluyole Warriors rose to second spot after a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Niger Tornadoes in Ibadan.
Ayobami Adekunle shot 3SC ahead in the 17th minute but the visitors drew level in the 35th minute through Ernest Chidi, and it was 1-1 at the break.
Shooting Stars came out guns blazing in the second half, with Ayodeji Bamidele scoring within the first minute of resumption before Gbolagade Adelowo (60th minute) and Kareem Ayinde (87th) completed the rout.
Remo Stars were dragged down to third place after the defeat at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, with Ismail Sarki netting the crucial goal for Bendel Insurance in the 25th minute.
The win took Insurance to sixth in the table, three points adrift of the top but with two games in hand.
Champions Enyimba have struggled for goals this season but they managed to score an important one today as they defeated Kwara United 1-0 in Aba.
Chijioke Mbaoma struck from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time to give Finidi George’s side the three points, the day after they unveiled Infinix as their official Man of the Match partners.
Enyimba are 16th, seven points off the pace of the leaders but with three matches in hand.
The only away win of the day was at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, where Doma United defeated their hosts Gombe United 3-0.
Both teams use the stadium for their home games but Gombe United were today’s designated hosts and they fell heavily to goals from Emmanuel Ekpeyong and Emmanuel Jesam, who scored twice.
Abia Warriors defeated Katsina United 2-1 to rise to fourth spot, while there were draws in Port Harcourt and Uyo.
Rivers United needed an equaliser in stoppage time from Alex Oyowah to secure a 1-1 draw after Duke Osimaga gave Kwara United a 52nd minute lead in Port Harcourt, while Akwa United were held to a 0-0 draw in Uyo by Plateau United.
NPFL RESULTS
Gombe United 0-3 Doma United
Enugu Rangers 2-0 Heartland
Abia Warriors 2-1 Katsina United
Rivers United 1-1 Sunshine Stars
Enyimba 1-0 Kwara United
3SC 4-1 Niger Tornadoes
Akwa United 0-0 Plateau United
Bendel Insurance 1-0 Remo Stars
