NPFL Review: Remo Stars remain perfect with four wins in four games; Amuneke falls for the third game in four matches
Remo Stars made it four wins in four games this season to extend their unbeaten start to the season. The Ikenne-based side defeated reigning champion, Rangers International of Enugu 2-1 at the Remo Stars stadium through Alex Young Oyowah (51) and Raymond Michael Tochukwu (60) either side of a 56th minute goal by Kenechukwu Augustine Agu.
It was however the first time Remo Stars would concede this term but the team will not be that bothered as they sit top of the table with 12 points, two clear of Finido George’s Rivers United who defeated Enyimba of Aba 2-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt via goals from Ubong Friday (17) and Seiyefa Jackson (85).
In Ibadan, precisely at the Lekan Salami stadium, Shooting Stars grabbed their first win of the season when they defeated Emmanuel Amuneke’s Heartland 1-0 courtesy of a 21st minute goal by Samuel Ayanrinde.
It was however a third loss in four games for Amuneke, the former Super Eagles winger, in his first season as a coach in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Amuneke has now lost twice away from the Dan Anyiam stadium and once at home to Oriental brothers, Enyimba of Aba.
At the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna, Bendel Insurance drew 1-1 with their host, Niger Tornadoes for their first point on the road this season.
After a goalless first half, Jonas Emmanuel gave the host a 50th minute lead that however lasted for just 10 minutes as the Edo Arsenal’s Vincent Okeke as they continue the search for their first win of the season.
Abia Warriors recorded their first win of the season by defeating Kano Pillars 2-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium in Umuahia.
Two first half goals by Sunday Megwo (15) and Emmanuel Onyekachi Ogbuagu (37) were enough to give the host the victory after two draws and a loss.
At the El-Kanemi stadium in Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors came from behind to salvage a point against visiting Plateau United.
Victor Ezekiel Dawa (11) and Gafar Saka (55) had given the visitors a 2-0 lead before Tornadoes scored twice in 10 minutes via Ibrahim Mustapha (73) and Sama’ila Bello (83) to earn a point.
NPFL Table
Team MP W D L F A GD Pts
Remo Stars 4 4 0 0 7 1 +6 12
Rivers United 4 3 1 0 6 1 +5 10
Niger Tornadoes 4 2 2 0 5 3 +2 8
Katsina United 4 2 1 1 5 2 +3 7
Sunshine Stars 4 2 1 1 5 2 +3 7
Enyimba 3 2 0 1 5 4 +1 6
El Kanemi 3 1 2 0 6 5 +1 5
Shooting Stars 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5
Nasarawa United 4 1 2 1 6 6 +0 5
Plateau United 4 1 2 1 5 5 +0 5
Abia Warriors 4 1 2 1 3 3 +0 5
Enugu Rangers 3 1 1 1 2 2 +0 4
Kano Pillars 4 1 1 2 4 5 -1 4
Akwa United 3 0 2 1 2 3 -1 2
B/Insurance 3 0 2 1 2 3 -1 2
Kwara United 3 0 2 1 2 3 -1 2
Bayelsa United 3 0 2 1 2 5 -3 2
Heartland 4 0 1 3 2 7 -5 1
Ikorodu City 4 0 1 3 1 6 -5 1
Lobi Stars 4 0 1 3 1 6 -5 1
