NPFL: Remo Stars win Southwest derby, Ikorodu City extend unbeaten run to six, Heartland fairytale ended in Ilorin
Remo Stars made it four straight home win against Shooting Stars of Ibadan in Wednesday’s Southwest derby at the Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne in a Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, matchday 14 clash.
Since the Kunle Soname Boys defeated the Oluyole Warriors in Ikenne in February 2022, they have won the next three games at the same venue and the 2-0 win on Wednesday has put them back to the top of the log to end their three-game winless run.
Two goals, one each half were enough to condemn Shooting Stars to their sixth away defeat in a row. Sikiru Alimi fired the host a head in first half added time and Olamilekan Muhammed Adedayo doubled the advantage on 67 minutes.
Remo Stars are now top of the log with 27 points, same as Rivers United who drew 1-1 in Ijebu Ode to record the only away point won by the visiting teams in nine matchday 14 games.
Timothy Zechariah put Rivers United ahead on three minutes at the Dipo Dina International Stadium and protected the lead for 61 minutes when Promise Awosanmi drew the host level.
George Finidi’s Rivers state are second on the log only due to the inferior number of goals scored as they are tied on 27 points with Remo Stars and also with the same goal difference (+7).
At the Mobolaji Johnson stadium in Onikan, Lagos, Ikorodu City extended their unbeaten run to six games, winning the fifth of the six games courtesy of their 2-0 defeat of El Kanemi Warriors.
Two second half goals by Shola Adelani (62′) and Ayomide Cole (77′) gave the NPFL debutants their sixth win of the season which has made them the form team in the NPFL and has catapulted them to fifth on the log.
At the ‘Cathedral’, the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in Enugu, Rangers recorded their biggest win of the season when they bashed Daniel Amokachi’s Lobi Stars 3-0 to move to third on the log.
Three first half goals by Frank Uwumiro (26′), Kenneth Igboke (30′) and Emmanuel Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (44′) did the magic for the Flying Antelopes who also extended their unbeaten run to seven matches since they lost 4-3 to an Ahmed Musa-inspired Kano Pillars in Enugu last October.
At the Lafia Township stadium, Bendel Insurance returned to the bottom of the table after losing their relegation six pointer against their host, Nasarawa United.
Victor Collins gave the host the lead on nine minutes, but Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi ensured it lasted only 15 minutes.
Qamar Adegoke however restored Nasarawa’s lead when he scored what proved to be the winner six minutes into the second half.
Emmanuel Amuneke and Heartland’s fairytale run was ended by their host, Kwara United at the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin after the visitors fell to a 21st minute goal by Emmanuel Ogbole.
Prior to the game, Heartland had gone five games without defeat and were looking to make it four wins in their last six games.
