NPFL Wrap: Wikki Stay Top Rangers Shock Heartland, Enyimba Lose Again
Wikki Tourists kept their place at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League with a 1-0 win at struggling Ikorodu United on Sunday.
Idris Guda scored the only goal of the match at Onikan Stadium late into the game to sink the hosts further into relegation trouble as the Bauchi side continued to defy the odds. Wikki now have 34 points from 19 matches, while Ikorodu United look destined for the drop in 19th place with 13 points.
In Owerri, Enugu Rangers continued the hunt for their first NPFL title with a shock 2-1 victory over Eastern rivals Heartland, their first win in Owerri in years.
Julius Ubido gave Heartland the lead in the 12th minute through a freekick, but Rangers were level within five minutes as Udeagha profited from Osas Okoro’s freekick to slide home.
Substitute Chisom Egbuchulam scored his ninth goal of the season and Rangers’ winner in the second half from the penalty spot after Bobby Clement had been brought down. The victory lifted Rangers to fourth spot in the NPFL table with 32 points.
In Lafia, champions Enyimba suffered their second straight defeat as they lost 2-1 at Nasarawa United.
Enyimba, who lost a rescheduled match 3-1 at Wikki Tourists in midweek, took the lead in the seventh minute through Ifeanyi George.
But Nasarawa equalised 17 minutes later via an Esosa Igbinoba penalty after an Enyimba player handled the ball in the box.
Abdulrahman Bashir scored Nasarawa’s winner from close range.
In Ibadan, coach Gbenga Ogunbote’s return brought a big win for Shooting Stars Sports Club as they thrashed Akwa United 3-0. Adetunji Sunday headed in Ajani Ibrahim’s cross in the 17th minute to put 3SC ahead.
Ibrahim made it 2-0 just before half-time and Adetunji completed the rout on the hour mark to move 3SC to 18th in the table with 20 points.
Niger Tornadoes defeated big-spending FC IfeanyiUbah 2-1 with substitute Usman Bashir getting the opening goal in the 53rd minute.
In Akure, Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors played a 1-1 draw.
Rasaq Adegbite’s header put the hosts in front on 57 minutes, but Abia Warriors were level in the 74th minute as Emmanuel Olowo scored from a goalmouth scramble.
Rivers United defeated Lobi Stars in Port Harcourt to move up to second place on 34 points, while Kano Pillars edged Plateau United 1-0 in Kano. Pillars are third with 32 points.
Match Day 20 results Kano Pillars 1-0 Plateau Utd Ikorodu Utd 0-1 Wikki Heartland 1-2 Rangers Sunshine Stars 1-1 Abia Warriors Shooting Stars 3-0 Akwa Utd Rivers Utd 1-0 Lobi Nasarawa Utd 2-1 Enyimba Tornadoes 2-1 FC Ifeanyiubah El-Kanemi 2-0 Wolves
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