NPFL: Remo Stars move five points clear at the top as Amuneke wins battle of ex-Eagles stars in Owerri
Two late second half goals by Arinze Anakwe (74) and Olamilekan Adedayo (85) were all Remo Stars needed to start the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, and year 2025 on a winning note.
Uche Sabastine had given the host, Akwa United a sixth minute lead at the Godswill Akapbio stadium in Uyo with fans hoping for the beginning of a great escape from relegation.
A win would have, temporarily, moved the Promise Keepers out of the bottom but bad defending ensured they failed to keep the promise they made with their fans and slumped to their second straight defeat to Remo Stars, second loss at home and 11th overall in 20 appearances so far this season.
With the win, Remo Stars have moved five points clear at the top after Finidi George’s Rivers United conceded a 94th minute goal to lose 2-1 at the Jos international stadium to their host, Plateau United.
The homers scored first on 21 minutes through Olawale Doyeni and looked to be running away with all three points but Rivers United’s Ndifreke Udo Effiong thought he had at least secured a point on the road with his equalizer with just three minutes left in regulation time.
Emmanuel Ihezuo however struck in four minutes added time to disunited the away team who remain second on 34 points but have now lost ground in the ttile race.
At the Dan Anyiam stadium in Owerri, Emmanuel would be grateful to John Bassey whose 57th minute strike was all he needed to win the game dubbed the battle of ex-Eagles stars between his side, Heartland and Daniel Amokachi’s Lobi Stars.
Their first meeting ended goalless at the Lafia Township stadium at the end of last year but Amuneke has now moved ahead in their head-to-head record.
