Rivers United bash Rangers 3-1, Ikorodu United also win

Enugu Rangers’ hope of ending their 32-year trophy drought was jolted yesterday in Port Harcourt where Rivers United beat the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leaders 3-1.

It was a weekend, which also saw Ikorodu United winning their first game in 11 matches and Enyimba continuing their indifferent form on the home front.

Yesterday’s defeat was Rangers’ third loss of the season, but the result did not change anything on the log, as the Flying Antelopes’ closest rivals, Abia Warriors and FC Ifeanyiubah, played out a goalless draw in Nnewi.

Bernard Ovoke began the destruction of Rangers from the spot in the 17th minute following a rough challenge on Chigozie Ihunda, while Christian Weli made it two in the 22nd minute.

Ovoke recorded his second goal in the 46th minute and even when Gabriel Olalekan scored an own goal in the 47th minute, Rangers could not make anything out of the game.

Rangers still lead the log with 27 points from 14 games, while Abia Warriors and FC IfeanyiUbah are second and third respectively with 24 and 23 points respectively.
On Saturday at the Agege Stadium, Lagos, Ikorodu United gave their fans something to cheer for when they came from behind to beat Heartland 3-1. It was their first win in 11 games.

Heartland, led by Alphonsus Dike, took the lead in the 12th minute through Anthony Oussou, but Ikorodu United drew level on the dot of 45 minutes through Merenini Junior. Moses Ebeyi gave the GOtv boys the lead in the 65th minute, while Ojukwu Ifegwu made it 3-1 through the spot in the 85th minute.

Shortly after the game, city neighbours, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC beat Akwa United 3-0 to move to the fourth position on the log with 22 points from 14 games.

The ‘Jesus Warriors,’ led by Fidelis Ilechukwu, had in-form left-winger, Sikiru Olatunbosun and teenage striker, Stephen Odey, to thank for their win.

Olatunbosun broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute, Odey scored the second goal with a superb header in the 64th minute, while Olatunbosun completed his brace in the 83rd minute with another sublime finish.

In other games at the weekend, defending champions, Enyimba once again could not find the spark to win at their temporary home, Umuahia Township Stadium, with visiting Lobi Stars holding them to a 2-2 draw.

Enyimba, which also drew with Heartland last week, opened scores from the spot on 22 minutes, but
Nanen Imenger and Solomon Kwambe gave the Makurdi boys the lead in the 44th and 52nd minutes respectively, before Skipper Chinedu Udoji leveled matters.

Nasarawa United defeated Warri Wolves 2-0 with Esosa Igbinoba’s 9th and 66th minute goals making the difference, while 3SC drew 2-2 with Plateau United.

The shock of the weekend was high-riding Sunshine Stars 0-1 loss to visiting Kano Pillars at the Akure Stadium.

Adamu Muhammad made the difference in the 83rd minute.

Meanwhile, Giwa FC risk being expelled from the league if they failed to honour two more matches.