NPFL Roundup: Shooting Stars Rekindle Title Push, Enyimba Revive Survival Fight
Remo Stars Dent Nasarawa, Rangers Held in Ilorin
Shooting Stars kept their title hopes alive with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Wikki Tourists in Ibadan, moving within five points of the summit.
Sodiq Ibrahim and Lucky Emmanuel twice put the hosts ahead, but Wikki responded through Abba Musa and John Taiwo. With the game poised for a draw, Tijani Al-Ameen struck in the 88th minute to seal the win and spark wild celebrations at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
Elsewhere, Enyimba reignited their battle against relegation with a 2-0 triumph over Plateau United in Aba. Paul Odeh opened the scoring in the 55th minute before Chinedu Ufere doubled the advantage eight minutes later, lifting the People’s Elephant out of the drop zone and ending a six-match winless run.
In Minna, Niger Tornadoes extended their winless streak to seven matches after a goalless draw with Kano Pillars. The result leaves Tornadoes hovering just above the relegation zone, while Pillars gained a valuable point to ease their own survival concerns.
Title-chasing Rangers were frustrated in Ilorin, held to a 0-0 draw by Kwara United. The Flying Antelopes missed the chance to strengthen their grip on the race but stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches, underlining their consistency.
Defending champions Remo Stars edged Nasarawa United 2-1 in Ikenne. Stanley Joseph gave Remo the lead before Suleiman Dauda equalized late on, but Michael Ibeh struck in the 88th minute to secure victory. Despite the win, Remo remain rooted to the bottom three with eight games left.
Bayelsa United claimed bragging rights in the South-South derby, defeating Warri Wolves 2-1 in Yenagoa. The result lifted Bayelsa to 13th, while Wolves stayed mid-table.
El-Kanemi Warriors and Katsina United shared a 1-1 draw in Maiduguri, with Uche Collins and Daddy Abdulrahman trading goals just before half-time.
Barau FC stunned Abia Warriors 2-0 in Kano, courtesy of a Muhammad Umar brace inside the opening half hour. The defeat left Abia Warriors’ title hopes in jeopardy and brought them to the brink of double-digit losses this season.
