Nigeria Premier Football League table continues to change hands weekly between Remo Stars and Rivers United who are clearly the front runners for the current season’s title challenge.
Rivers United were the leaders before the last weekend’s round of games but their 1-0 loss to Rangers in Enugu meant they go behind Remo Stars who were 2-0 winners at home to El Kanemi Warriors in Ikenne.
The fixture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was dubbed the star game of the weekend as it was between 2022 Champions (Rivers United) and the reigning Champions, Rangers.
The game lived up to expectations but it was Chinemerem Ugwueze’s 16th minute strike that decided the contest.
By virtue of the win, Rangers moved to the third spot with 27 points while Rivers United slid to the second spot with 29 points.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars pinned El Kanemi Warriors 2-0 to hand the Borno Army their third defeat of the season.
Peter Onuoha and Franck Mawuena with the goals in the 31st and 45th minutes to return the Sky Blue Stars to the top with 29 points as they have a better goals difference than Rivers United who also have the same number of points.
In Umuahia, Abia Warriors pipped Niger Tornadoes 2-1 to move to the 11th spot with 21 points but Ikon Allah Boys are now ninth with the same 21 points. Antoine Ijoma and Paul Samson with the goals for the Umuchineke side while Ahmed Family got a late consolatory penalty kick for the visitors.
The encounter between Plateau United and Heartland FC produced five goals with the Peace Boys edging the Naze Millionaires 3-2 at the New Jos Road Stadium.
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Sunday Anthony put the home side in the lead in the fifth minute and the lead was sustained till the end of the first half. The game took another dimension in the second half with Tobi Iyanda scoring two early goals to put the Naze Millionaires in the ascendancy with his goals in the 53rd and 57th minutes. Anthony again benefitted from Daniel Itodo’s long throw-in to score his second of the game in the 69th minute.
Mafeng Pam’s 90th minute strike settled the contest for Plateau United who are out of the relegation by the victory. They are 15th with 18 points but Heartland have slipped to the 13th spot with 20 points.
In the other games played, Kano Pillars defeated Katsina United in the North West derby through Abba Adam’s 34th minute goal. They have moved to the seventh spot with 22 points while Bayelsa United ended the six games unbeaten run of Ikorodu City.
Rabiu Abdullahi scored for the home team on 79 minutes to ensure the Prosperity Boys move to the 10th spot with 21 points. The Oga Boys slid to the fourth spot with 24 points.
Shooting Stars of Ibadan beat Sunshine Stars in Ikenne 1-0 in the latest South West derby while Nasarawa United got the better of Lobi Stars 1-0 in a North Central derby.