NPFL Review: Ikorodu City win first ever SouthWest derby, honours even between Abia Warriors and Enyimba in Abia derby

Ikorodu City FC promised Shooting Stars a derby to remember and kept that promise after coming from behind to win their first ever Southwest derby 2-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos.

The Oga Boys scored twice in the second half to secure their fifth win of the season and fourth at home after going behind as early as the 14th minute of the tension-soaked game via Anthony Okachi.

Shola Adelani levelled scores 12 minutes after the restart, heading home on 58 minutes before Super sub Rivio Ayemwenre headed the Oga Boys for the first time in the game off a cross from Austin with just two minutes left in regulation time.

The victory has moved the NPFL debutants seven places up to eighth on the log with 17 points from 12 games while Shooting Stars are 11th after losing their fifth straight away game of the season.

In Umuahia, Abia Warriors drew 1-1 with visiting Enyimba of Aba in Abia derby at the Umuahia Township stadium.

Clinton Degol Jephta put the visitors ahead on nine minutes but Adejoh Ojonugwa levelled scored 13 minutes to ensure a share of the points after surrendering all last season.

At the Remo Stars stadium, Remo Stars dropped their first points at home following their goalless draw with Rivers United who had lost their last two games.

In Enugu, reigning NPFL champions, Rangers international survived a second half fightback from Bendel insurance to win 3-2 and move to fourth on the log with 19 points from 12 games behind Remo Stars (23 points), Rivers United (22 points) and Enyimba (20 points).

Godwin Obaje (21) and Frank Uwumiro (39) put Rangers 2-0 up in the first half. Effimi Nsi added the third nine minutes after the restart before the Edo Arsenals began the fightback, scoring twice on 67 and 85 minutes but it was not enough to pull them out of the bottom of the log.

Results
Nigeria – NPFL
Akwa United 1 – 0 Nasarawa United
El Kanemi 1 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
Kano Pillars 2 – 2 Heartland
Abia Warriors 1 – 1 Enyimba
Bayelsa United 1 – 1 Katsina United
Enugu Rangers 3 – 2 Bendel Insurance
Ikorodu City 2 – 1 Shooting Stars
Kwara United 2 – 0 Plateau United
Remo Stars 0 – 0 Rivers United FC
Sunshine Stars 1 – 0 Lobi Stars

NPFL Table
Team MP W D L F A D P
Remo Stars 12 7 2 3 13 6 +7 23
Rivers United 12 6 4 2 12 6 +6 22
Enyimba 12 5 5 2 14 9 +5 20
Enugu Rangers 12 5 4 3 13 10 +3 19
El Kanemi 12 4 7 1 14 13 +1 19
Kano Pillars 12 5 3 4 16 15 +1 18
Kwara United 12 4 5 3 13 9 +4 17
Ikorodu City 12 5 2 5 16 14 +2 17
Niger Tornadoes 12 4 5 3 11 10 +1 17
Heartland 12 4 4 4 11 11 +0 16
Shooting Stars 12 4 3 5 10 11 -1 15
Abia Warriors 12 4 3 5 10 14 -4 15
Bayelsa United 12 3 5 4 8 13 -5 14
Katsina United 12 3 4 5 9 11 -2 13
Sunshine Stars 11 4 1 6 8 13 -5 13
Akwa United 12 3 3 6 9 11 -2 12
Plateau United 12 4 3 5 11 14 -3 12
Lobi Stars 11 3 3 5 12 16 -4 12
Nasarawa United 12 3 3 6 10 14 -4 12
B/Insurance 12 3 3 6 8 14 -6 9