NPFL MD32: Gombe Utd Dent Lobi Stars Title Ambition, Enyimba, Rangers, Remo Coast To Victory
**As 3SC Edge Sunshine In Southwest Derby
By: Michael Odetunde
It was an exhilarating, scintillating and sumptuous displays in the match day 32 of the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL over the weekend across match centers in the country.
On Friday Remo Stars put some lights into the match day 32 of the apex league with sumptuous performance as they ran riot over Niger Tornadoes in Ikenne.
Household name and reliable striker Sikiru Alimi was back on the score sheets as his brace helped Daniel Ogunmodede’s side defeated Niger Tornadoes by 3-0, with Alimi scoring in the 28 and 31 minutes respectively in the encounter before Ahmed Akinyele sealed the winner over the Ikon Allah’s boys.
Kwara United put up a better and bravery performance at Pantami Stadium as they held Doma United to a goalless, extending their impressive run to 4 matches unbeaten.
Bendel Insurance in front of their home fans left it late to beat struggling Heartland FC by a lone goal, the goal came in 83 minutes courtesy of Ismael Sarki.
It was a goal gallore at Pantami Stadium on Sunday, with Gombe United who were languishing at the bottom of the log showed their grits and passion to dent Lobi Stars title ambition defeating the Makurdi side 3-2.
It was Lobi Stars who drew the first blood scoring in the first minute of the encounter from Stephen Eneji, but Emmanuel Michael restored the parity for the home side in the 22 minutes.
Anayor Ogbona puts the game into bed with his brace in the 73 and 83 minutes of the encounter but Lobi Stars rose back to reduce the deficit in 90 minutes from Stanley Oganbor which was not enough for Lobi Stars to snatch a point in Gombe.
First home match with first home victory for Coach Abdullahi Biffo, as Sporting Lagos defeated Abia Warriors in a six goal thriller at Mobolaji Johnson Arena Onikan Lagos.
Sporting Lagos scored as early as four minutes of the encounter via Paschal Durugbor before Junior Lokosa extended their lead close to the end of first half.
Sunday Megwo reduced the deficit for Abia Warriors in the 48 minutes and close to the hour mark Prince Okorie levelled the score line to silence the home crowd.
Jonathan Alukwu raised to the occasion for Sporting Lagos with his brace in 61 and 70 minutes respectively to hand Biffo and Sporting Lagos a vital three points.
In the city of Aba, Champions Enyimba Int’l pip Katsina United by 1-0 via a spot kick coming from Chijioke Mbaoma in the 61 minutes..
Akwa United put their fate into their own hands with a poised and polished victory over Kano Pillars.
They put that painful defeat against Kwara United in Ilorin behind them with Ubong Friday rising to the occasion again with a brace in 37 and 58 minutes and Mubarak Said put the game beyond Kano Pillars in the 90 minutes as the fighting for the survival continues.
Rangers Int’l put up another scintillating and excruciating displays as they aim for the title, overriding Plateau United at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium popularly known as Cathedral.
A goal from Chiedozie Okorie close to the half hour mark put the Flying Antelopes ahead with Godwin Obaje sealing the win in the 90 minutes from a penalty.
It was a grits, passion and athletsicm in Southwest derby in Ibadan between high-flying 3SC and struggling Sunshine Stars at Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasingba in Ibadan.
The game which was played under the floodlights saw Oluyole Warriors having an edge over their opponents from Akure.
Fans favourite’ Taofeek Malomo puts the Oluyole Warriors in front close to the hour mark before highly experienced midfielder Christian Pyagbara sealed the win in the 89 minutes for Gbenga Ogunbote side as they challenge further for continental tickets as the game in brown roof city completed the Sunday’s games in the NPFL.
In Monday Fixture, Bayelsa United will knock horns with Rivers United in a South South derby at Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.