Remo Stars have reclaimed the leadership of the Nigeria Premier Football League from Lobi Stars, albeit on goals difference after they pulled a draw in Aba against Abia Warriors as the 2023-24 season’s second stanza took off in style.
But in Jos, Plateau United shot to the fourth spot with 34 points after their 10th consecutive home win of the season with a 2-1 win over Lobi Stars yesterday.
Umar Bala Mohammed put the Peace Boys in the lead in the 41st minute before Albert Hilary increased the tally in the 54th minute while he Pride of Benue halved the deficit through Kumaga Suur two minutes after Hilary’s strike.
The defeat saw Lobi slipped to the second spot on goals difference despite having the same number of points (36) with Remo Stars.
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Remo Stars ensured their visits to Aba this season didn’t end in a defeat after they got a goalless draw against Abia Warriors following that famous win over Enyimba in the first stanza. The sole point got restored the Sky Blue Stars to the top of the league table on better goals difference ahead of Lobi Stars.
Meanwhile, Enyimba pipped Shooting Stars 1-0 in Aba through Mbaoma Chijioke’s strike to complete a double over the Oluyole Warriors having won 2-1 in Ibadan in the last game of the first stanza. The People’s Elephant moved to the third spot a point off the top two while Shooting Stars slipped to 12th with 26 points.
Kano Pillars played a could have returned to Kano with the three points from Owerri but for fantastic saves from Darlintin Ovunda of Heartland FC and a late acrobatic strike from Malachi Ohawume.
Pillars who scored first in the game through Ibrahim Mustapha in the 38th minute are fifth on the log with 33 points.
In Port Harcourt, Doma United are facing the hard reality of life in the second stanza after they were beaten 3-2 by Rivers United.
Rivers United’s Nyima Nwagua became the fourth player to score a hat trick this season but the Savannah Tigers almost ruined his efforts as Bidemi Owoku and Hilary Ekawu both scored for the visitors.
The return of Kennedy Boboye for a second stint at Sunshine Stars as head coach could not deliver three points after the Owena Whales were held to a 1-1 draw by Kwara United at the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure.
At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, Enugu Rangers survived with a late penalty kick to beat Akwa United 1-0.
The Flying Antelopes are seventh with 31 points while Akwa United are in 16th spot with 21 points.
Sporting Lagos made it consecutive wins for the first time in recent times following a 1-0 win over Bendel Insurance at their Mobolaji Johnson Arena home.
Tochukwu Michael with the only goal in the 56th minute on his debut for the Noisy Lagosians. The win lifted Sporting Lagos to the 13th spot with 24 points while Bendel Insurance are in eighth with 30 points.
Bayelsa United eased off their relegation worries with a 2-0 home win over Gombe United while Katsina United’s Andrew Idoko’s late strike handed them the maximum points at home to Niger Tornadoes.