NPFL Review: Rangers extend unbeaten run to 10 games as Enaruna breaks Amuneke and Heartland’s hearts
Ikorodu City scores late to extend unbeaten home run to seven games in a row
Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, champion, Rangers international of Enugu have become the first side in the 2024/25 season to go 10 games in a row unbeaten after the Flying Antelopes secured a point Sunday at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina where they forced their host, Katsina United to a goalless draw.
Rangers have not lost a game in the competition since mid-October when they lost 4-3 to an Ahmed Musa inspired Kano Pillars at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium Enugu.
Since then, the Coal City warriors have won all their four home games and have become the first side to go unbeaten six games in a row away from home.
Katsina United have also dropped points at home for the first time since early November when they lost 2-1 to Ikorodu City.
At the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers United scored twice in the second half to defeat visiting Kwara United to ensure they stay at the top of the log.
The visitors scored first in the first half via Akeem Akanni on 18 minutes but Finidi George and his team needed six second half minutes to turn the game around. First it was Timothy Zechariah who fired in the leveler eight minutes into the second half before David Benjamin added the second six minutes later.
At the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Heartland FC Owerri conceded late for the second game running to drop points following their 1-1 draw with visiting Bendel Insurance.
The Naze Millionaires had gone ahead courtesy of Promise Anyanwu’s sixth minute goal but Emmanuel Amuneke’s team failed to hold on to the lead as Bendel Insurance levelled scores with just eight minutes left via Michael Enaruna’s goal.
At the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa United extended their unbeaten run to four games after defeating Akwa United 2-1.
Coach Ladan Bosso’s men scored twice, one in each half to get their third home win in a row and move into the top half of the table with 24 points from 17 games.
Chijoke Alaekwe struck on 23 minutes to give the Promise Keepers a the lead but two goals, one in the first half and the other towards the end of the game were enough to condemn the visitors to their eighth straight away defeat.
Auwal Sadiq ensured parity on 41 minutes to end the first half 1-1 before Ibrahim Yahaya scored with 12 minutes left in regulation time to ensure another three points for the host.
In the late kickoff game, Chineme Chinonso’s 92nd minute header from a cross from Salau Yusuf saved Ikorodu City from losing at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena for the first time since September and secured the Oga Boys a point in their Southwest derby against Remo Stars on Sunday.
The visitors looked to be running away with all three points after Shuaibu Ibrahim scored in the eighth minute of the game but an unnecessary red card received by Ahmed Akinyele gave the host the opportunity to pile pressure on Remo Stars defence which eventually caved in two minutes into the added time.
Ikorodu City stay fifth after earning a point while Remo Stars surrender their position at the top of the log to Rivers United who defeated Kwara United in Port Harcourt.
