Sports

NPFL Round-up: Remo Stars put three past Tornadoes, Doma United and Kwara play goalless draw, Biffo claims first three points with Sporting Lagos

GLIrNZAWEAABRQd

Soccernet.ng brings the major highlights of an action-packed matchday 32 in the 2023/2024 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Rivers United kicked the matchday off in winning style, sealing a 2-0 victory over Katsina United. Echeta Deputy and Enyinnaya Kazie got on the scoresheet to secure Rivers’ fourth win from their last five games.

Sikiru Alimi scored a brace to take his league tally to 14 for the season before Ahmed Akinyele added Remo Stars’ third in their 3-nil win over Niger Tornadoes. Coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s Sky Blue Stars are now just four points off the top spot, with a game in hand.

A late Ismail Sarki goal secured Bendel Insurance’s win over Heartland while Doma United and Kwara United played out a goalless draw.

John Ubong Friday joined Alimi Sikiru on the list of players who scored a brace this weekend, as he got on the scoresheet alongside Saidu Mubarak to help Akwa United to a 3-0 victory over the travelling Kano Pillars.

Enugu Rangers bounced back from last week’s loss, putting two past Plateau United. Chiedozie Okorie and Godwin Obaje’s goals made all the difference for Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men, sending them to the top of the league.

Finidi George’s Enyimba edged Katsina United in a close contest, with a cooly-taken Mbaoma Chijioke spot-kick making all the difference for the Elephants. They’re now second in the league, two points behind the league leaders.

Bottom of the NPFL table Gombe United sprung a surprise at the Isa Pantami Stadium, defeating title-hunting Lobi Stars 3-2. Emmanuel Eneji broke the deadlock for the visitors before the home side turned up the heat. Michael Emmanuel scored the equalizer before Anayor Ogbonna scored a brace to put daylight between both teams. Stanley Oganbor pulled one back for Lobi Stars, but it was a little too late to inspire them to a comeback.

It rained goals at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Abdullahi Biffo’s home debut with Sporting Lagos. The noisy Lagosians experienced the highest goal turnout this weekend, claiming a 4-2 win over Abia Warriors. Paschal Durogbor, Junior Lokosa and Jonathan Alukwu all got on the scoresheet to help the team climb further up the table.

In another South-West derby, Shooting Stars secured a 2-nil victory over Sunshine Stars. Sunshine are now without a win in six games and are in danger of relegating as they’re 18th on the NPFL table.