Goalfest in Enugu as Rangers maintain NPFL lead

Sporting Lagos beat Sunshine Stars

Enugu Rangers, yesterday, defeated Abia Warriors in a week 30 five-goal thriller at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) table toppers had to dig deep to overcome the Abia Warriors, who were determined to leave Enugu with at least a point.

Isaac Saviour put the Flying Antelopes ahead in the seventh minute, but an AdejohOjenugwa’s47th-minute strike deep into first-half added time ensured the teams went for the break even.

Kazeem Ogunleye restored Rangers’ lead just three minutes into the second half and gave the Flying Antelopes what looked like the game-winner in the 63rd minute. But the Umuahia boys refused to go down without a fight, as they reduced the tally two minutes into added time through Pascal Nwabueze. However, that was as much as Rangers would allow them as the Fidelis Ilechukwu boys held on to retain their grip on the tabletop.

In Aba, Enyimba defeated Heartland of Owerri 1-0 to climb to the second position on the table. Ebere Kennedy Awazie gave the defending champions the winner in the 39th minute, leaving Heartland rooted in the 19th position in the 20-team league.

In other matches, Rivers United thrashed Plateau United 3-1 in Port Harcourt, Gombe United lost 1-2 at home to Kwara United, Bendel Insurance defeated Kano Pillars 2-1, while Bayelsa United were held to a 1-1 draw by Katsina United.

Akwa United had a goals fest in Uyo, where they beat Niger Tornadoes 4-1, while Sporting Lagos could only manage a 1-0 victory over Sunshine Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.Today in Gombe, Doma United will host Remo Stars in matchday 30’s last game.