Enyimba, Lobi draw as beaten Rangers maintain lead
ENUGU Rangers were beaten 2- 0 in Port Harcourt, yesterday, by Rivers United, but the Flying Antelopes hold on to their lead in the Nigerian Premier Football League ( NPFL) as their closest rivals, Enyimba of Aba and Lobi Stars, could only draw their respective games.
Now, fully focused on the league after their CAF Confederation Cup campaign where they lost in the quarterfinal to USM Algers of Algeria, Rivers United, with six outstanding games, began their steady rise up to the table with goals by Alex Oyowah ( 34th minute) and Echeta Deputy in the 82nd minute to turn back the league leaders.
The league took Rivers United to the 15th position with 37 points from 25 games, while Rangers are still first on the log with 54 points from 31 matches.
Playing in Akure, Enyimba scrambled to a 1- 1 draw with homers, Sunshine Stars, to remain in the second position on 52 points. Promise Awosanmi gave Sunshine Stars the lead in the 46th minute, ute, but Chidiebere Nnachi’s 71stminute strike ensured the Peoples Elephant shared the e spoils on a day third- placed Lobi Stars were held to a goalless draw by Bendel Insurance.
In other matches, Plateau United dampened Remo Stars’ s’ title hopes with a 1- 0 defeat in Jos, while Niger Tornadoes were 2- 0 better than Doma United.
Kano Pillars thrashed d Gombe United 4- 0, Kwara United nited defeated Akwa United 1- 0, , just as Katsina United beat Sporting porting
Lagos 2- 0.
Earlier on Saturday, Heartland artland of Owerri, in their first t game back at the Dan Anyiam m Stadium, defeated Shooting ting Stars 1- 0, just as Abia Wararriors were 1- 0 better than an
Bayelsa United.