NPFL Review: Shooting Stars hand El-Kanemi Warriors first defeat of the season, Remo Stars stay top as Ikorodu City win first away game
Amuneke leads Heartland to straight three wins as Rivers United crash at home
Shooting Stars of Ibadan handed El Kanemi Warriors their first defeat of the season with a comprehensive 3-0 win at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex at Adamasingba in Ibadan on Sunday evening.
The Oluyole Warriors were looking for inspiration after losing for the fourth game away from home last weekend in Minna and the unbeaten run of the visitors from Maiduguri provided the motivation they needed.
Samuel Ayanrinde set the Ibadan-based side on the path of victory when he headed home from a Monday Gideon’s pull out on 27 minutes. Shooting Stars made it 2-0 10 minutes later with Aliyu Abubkar netting to give the host a 2-0 first half lead.
Adam Mustapha made it 3-0 after the restart to give the Oluyole Warriors a comprehensive win and three points that move them from 15th on the log before the start of the game to ninth with 15 points from 11 games.
In Aba, Remo Stars forced their host, Enyimba to a goalless draw in a game played at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba. The result ensured the visitors remain top of the log with 22 points from 11 games. one more than Rivers United who lost at home for the first time this season.
Finidi George and Rivers United were beaten 1-0 by visiting Bayelsa United in a South South derby but still maintain their second spot on the table after Enyimba drew in Aba.
Emmanuel Amunueke and Heartland made it three wins in their last three games after beating Sunshine Stars of Akure 1-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri courtesy of Christian Nnaemeka’s eighth minute strike.
The win takes Heartland to 10th on the log with 15 points from 11 games, same as Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
At the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, Lagos side, Ikorodu City recorded their first away win of the season by coming from behind to beat their host, Katsina United 2-1.
Moses Effiong gave the host an 18th minute lead which the Oga Boys cancelled out just before the end of the first half courtesy of a towering header by Alade Solomon on 44 minutes.
Solomon turned the provider on 89 minutes for Emmanuel Solomon who poked home inside the box for the all important goal that sent Ikorodu City to 12th on the log with 14 points from 11 matches.
NPFL Table
Team MP W D L F A GD Pts
Remo Stars 11 7 1 3 13 6 +7 22
Rivers United 11 6 3 2 12 6 +6 21
Enyimba 11 5 4 2 13 8 +5 19
Niger Tornadoes 11 4 5 2 11 9 +2 17
Kano Pillars 11 5 2 4 14 13 +1 17
Enugu Rangers 11 4 4 3 10 8 +2 16
El Kanemi 11 3 7 1 13 13 +0 16
Plateau United 11 4 3 4 14 12 +2 15
Shooting Stars 11 4 3 4 9 9 +0 15
Heartland 11 4 3 4 9 9 +0 15
Kwara United 11 3 5 3 11 9 +2 14
Ikorodu City 11 4 2 5 14 13 +1 14
Abia Warriors 11 4 2 5 9 13 -4 14
Sunshine Stars 11 4 1 6 8 13 -5 13
Bayelsa United 11 3 4 4 7 12 -5 13
B/Insurance 11 3 3 5 9 11 -2 12
Katsina United 11 3 3 5 8 10 -2 12
Nasarawa United 11 3 3 5 10 13 -3 12
Lobi Stars 11 3 3 5 12 16 -4 12
Akwa United 11 2 3 6 8 11 -3 9
