Two Late Goals Take Remo Stars Back to Summit of NPFL
Femi Solaja
The duo of Sikiru Alimi and Adedayo Olamilekan were the heroes of the night with two late goals deep into injury time as leaders, Remo Stars, beat visiting Lobi Stars of Makurdi 2-0 in the table topper clash at the Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne.
The win takes the Kunle Soname lads to the top in what is their last home match for the year as they play away at Heartland of Owerri next Thursday.
But yesterday it was the visiting team that took the initiative from the start but the home boys were lucky not to have conceded an early goal following a brilliant show from goalkeeper Kayode Bankole.
Remo Stars’ first attempt at goal was in the 11th minute but Dayo Ojo’s long shot missed the target by whiskers.
However, Lobi Stars got their chance to score a few minutes later but efforts from goalkeeper Bankole and timely clearance by captain Junior Nduka rescued the day for the home side.
Thereafter it was Remo that dominated play but the Makurdi side were able to stop several incursions till the end of the half.
Remo Stars look better to getting the opener but a good display by the away side makes things difficult for the team while two penalty calls were waved off by the referee.
With the match looking like a goalless affair, Sikiru Alimi, opened the score late in the regulation time when Lobi Stars’ goalkeeper mistimed a corner kick for the ball to sail into the net.
Hard-working Olamilekan doubled the lead in the injury time off a rebound from another corner kick.
The win takes Remo Stars to the top with 29 points while Doma United follow with 28 points and Lobi Stars in third position with 26 points.
In some of the other matches, Gombe United pipped Katsina United by a lone goal while Akwa United and Sunshine settled for a goalless draw in Eket.
Bendel Insurance secured a lone-goal win against visiting Abia Warriors while Kwara United had to come back from a goal down to beat visiting Kano Pillars 2-1.
Sporting Lagos had to rely on a late goal from Aliu Salawudeen against Bayelsa United to earn a score draw at their Mobolaji Johnson Arena fortress at Onikan.
The last matches of the year will hold next week with Abia Warriors against Gombe United while Bayelsa will take on Enyimba. Enugu Ranger will return to their base in Enugu to host Shooting Stars of Ibadan while Heartland play host to Remo Stars in Owerri.
Katsina United have a date with Akwa United while Lobi Stars will aim for a comeback against Niger Tornadoes in Makurdi.
Sporting Lagos will play away in Jos against Plateau United just as Rivers United will battle Bendel Insurance. Sunshine Stars and Doma United will round up the year-ending fixtures.
RESULTS
Gombe 1-0 Katsina
Akwa Utd 0-0 Sunshine
Insurance 1-0 Abia
Kwara 2-1 Plateau
Tornadoes 1-0 K’Pillars
Remo Stars 2-0 Lobi
Sporting 1-1 Bayelsa
