Rangers maintained their top spot in Group A of the Nigeria Professional Football League following a hard fought 1-0 win against Rivers United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Monday, reports Completesports.com.
Chidera Ezeh scored the winning goal for Rangers minutes from regulation time.
The defeat put a dent on Rivers United’s hopes of securing a play-off spot.
Champions Lobi Stars held on to second position after dispatching Wikki Tourists 2-1 in Makurdi.
Austine Ogunye and Sikiru Alimi were on target for the home team, Ukeme Williams got Wikki Tourists’ goal.
Lobi Stars extended their unbeaten run to eight games following the win.
In Aba, Enyimba edged out hard-fighting Niger Tornadoes 2-0 with Ifeanyi Anaemena (from penalty spot) and Ibrahim Mustapha getting the goals.
The Peoples Elephant have retained the third position in the Group A table with 33 points from 21 games.
Jonathan Zikiye scored deep into stoppage time as MFM defeated Katsina United 2-1 at the Agege Stadium.
Adeniji Kabirh put the Olukoya Boys ahead in the 11th minute but Timothy Danladi equalised for the visitors five minutes after the break.
Bendel Insurance boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 home win against Sunshine Stars at the Uniben Sports Complex.
Junior Osagie netted the decisive strike in the fourth minute.
At the Ilorin Township Stadium, Kwara United ended their seven games winless streak with a 2-1 win against already relegated Remo Stars
Uche Onwuansonaya gave the hosts the lead in the 74th minute , while Chris Alamoyo doubled the advantage five minutes later.
Remo Stars skipper Victor Mbaoma reduced the deficit deep into stoppage time.
In Group B, log leaders Akwa United were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Abia Warriors.
Godspower Aniefiok and Ocheme Edoh were on target for Akwa United, while Ibrahim Olawoyin and Samson Obi 82 scored for the away side
Kano Pillars booked a place in the playoff courtesy of a 2-0 win against Delta Force at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Rabiu Ali and Auwalu Ali were on target for the Sai Masu Gida in the game.
Former champions Plateau United beat Yobe Desert Stars 2-0 in Jos to enhance their survival aspirations.
Amos Gyang opened scoring for the hosts from the spot on the half hour mark, while Godwin Obaje doubled the advantage eight minutes from time.
FC IfeanyiUbah maintained their push for a playoff spot with 1-0 away win against El-Kanemi Warriors.
Chibuike Ezeh scored the winning goal 12 minutes from time.
Gombe United also recorded a 1-0 win against Heartland with Yusuf Abdulazeez scoring the decisive goal 18 minutes from time.
MATCH DAY 21 RESULTS
Rangers 1-0 Rivers
Kwara 2-1 Remo
Plateau 2-0 Yobe
Nasarawa 2-2 Go-Round
Pillars 2-0 Delta
Enyimba 2-0 Tornadoes
Insurance 1-0 Sunshine
Lobi 2-1 Wikki
Akwa 2-2 Abia
Gombe 1-0Heartland
El-Kanemi 0-1 FCIU
MFM 2-1 Katsina
By Adeboye Amosu
2 Comments
Complete sports can be a real disappointment at times. No updated tables to show positioning of teams. And they keep brandishing European leagues as if it is theirs. Our league keeps retarding because of the failure on the part of our localised journalists cum media.
My brother i have complained to that effect on other NPFL Thread on this site they are so lazy and dont listen to improve.