NPFL Matchday 15 Review: Enugu Rangers secure another important away win in Akure

ENYIMBA 2-0 KWARA UNITED

Enyimba recovered in time from their listless goalless home draw against Bendel Insurance the penultimate weekend to beat Kwara United 2-0 at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba on Sunday.

Two goals from Stanley Dimgba in the second and the 73rd minutes ensured that the People’s Elephant climbed to the second position in the NPFL Group A with 24 points from 15 games. They have usurped the position previously occupied by MFM on goals difference after the Olukoya Boys were held to a goalless draw at home by Lobi Stars.

Kwara United on their part have slipped to the relegation zone with the loss they suffered in Aba. They are now in the ninth spot with 18 points from 15 games.

KATSINA UNITED 2-1 RIVERS UNITED

KatsinaUnited returned to winning ways against Rivers United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium,  Katsina after securing consecutive draws at home against MFM and Enugu Rangers. Tasiu Lawal put the hosts in the lead in the 18th minute from the spot kick while Usman Barau got the insurance goal in the 51st minute and when the Pride of Rivers eventually woke up in the game they were only able to reduce the tally through Cletus Emotan in the 68th minute.

The Changi Boys moved to the fifth position in the NPFL Group A with 21 points from 15 games while the Pride of Rivers are in the seventh spot with 19 points from 14 games.

MFM 0-0 LOBI STARS

Former league leaders MFM have become unsuccessful in their resolve to beat Lobi Stars at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos and it has affected their position in the league table where they are now in the third place behind Enugu Rangers and Enyimba.

The Pride of Benue had won the first leg of the fixture 2-1 in Makurdi but they cut off  ball supply to the attack of the Olukoya Boys and they were unable to mastermind a home win for the second time in the league this season with their 1-1 home draw with Enyimba being the first time they failed to pick maximum points at home this season. The Olukoya Boys are in the third place with 24 points from 15 matches having dropped a place lower on goals difference below the People’s Elephant but the league's reigning champions have moved to the fourth spot as a result of the point earned in Lagos.

NIGER TORNADOES 2-0 WIKKI TOURISTS

Niger Tornadoes have secured their second home win of the season after several months of waiting after they thrashed Wikki Tourists 2-0 at the Bako Kotangora Stadium, Minna on Sunday.

Ahmadu Liman scored twice in the 24th and 60th minutes and his goals have thrown the Ikon Allah Boys into a frenzy while the Giant Elephants have been made to have a rethink after their latest loss in Minna.

The home win has lifted Tornadoes away from the bottom of the NPFL Group A to the 11th spot with 13 points from 15 matches while Wikki presently occupy the borderline to the relegation zone in the eighth spot with 19 points from 15 games.

SUNSHINE STARS 1-2 ENUGU RANGERS

Enugu Rangers made it second straight away win after they pipped Sunshine Stars 2-1 at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure as a follow up to the same result they had against Kwara United in Ilorin.

Pascal Seka showed he is the in-form striker in the top flight after his double in the 29th and 44th minutes handed crucial three points s to the Flying Antelopes haul in the NPFL Group A while Anthony Omaka’s initial equaliser for the Owena Whales in the 32nd minute turned out to be a consolation goal.

Despite still having three outstanding matches yet to be played including a home game (against Lobi Stars) and two away (against Bendel Insurance and Rivers United) Enugu Rangers are on top of the top-flight Group A with 27 points from 12 games while Enyimba and MFM are in distant second and third with 24 points each but with three more games played better the Flying Antelopes.

Sunshine Stars are now in the sixth position with 19 points from 15 matches.

BENDEL INSURANCE 0-0 REMO STARS

Bendel Insurance were unable to find the match-winner against resolute Remo Stars at the UNIBEN Sports Complex, Benin City.

A home win could have been enough to lift the Edo Arsenal away from the relegation zone but the draw was bad news for them. Insurance are still in the 10th spot with 17 points from 14 games and they are still with an outstanding fixture against Enugu Rangers while Remo Stars finally got another vital away point to continue their push towards premier league survival.

They are now last in the top-flight Group A table with 13 points from 15 games. They are six points adrift of premier league safety with just seven matches to the end of the season.