NPFL: Shooting Stars end Rangers’ 10-match unbeaten run; Remo Stars back on top as Ikorodu City lose on the road again

Ikouwem Utin’s 28th minute goal was enough for Shooting Stars of Ibadan to end the 10-match unbeaten run of Rangers international of Enugu in their Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL’s match day 18 tie at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in Enugu.

The Oluyole Warriors have now won their last two away games after losing the previous six and have inflicted on Rangers their second home defeat of the season.

Incidentally, the last time Rangers lost in the NPFL was in October when they were beaten 4-3 by an Ahmed Musa inspired Kano Pillars.

With the win, Shooting Stars have now moved over their traditional rivals on the NPFL log by two points and to third on the table while the Flying Antelopes dropped to fourth.

At the Umuahia Township stadium, Ikorodu City FC lost for the second game in a row away from their Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan when they fell 2-0 to their host, Abia Warriors.

Two first half goals by Ijoma Desouza on 10 minutes and another in first half added time (45+2) by Sunday Megwo were enough to seal all three points for the Warriors who have now won their last three games at home.

At the Remo Stars stadium, two late goals by the host, Remo Stars ensured their 2-0 defeat of Bayelsa United and moved them back to the top of the table after Rivers United forced their host, Nasarawa United to a 1-1 draw at the Lafia Township stadium in Lafia.

In Ikenne, Jabbar Malik scored on 84 and 88 minutes to seal all three points for Remo Stars who now top the NPFL log with 33 points, same as Rivers United who netted a 50th minute penalty to secure a point away from home after Joshua John had given the host a 14th minute lead.

Remo Stars are however on top courtesy their +10 goal difference while Rivers United have +8 goal difference.