NPFL: Lobi Return to Top as Rangers Secure Away Win at Tornadoes
Femi Solaja
It was a ‘Change of Guards’ at the summit of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as Lobi Stars regained the top spot from Remo Stars on Match-day 23 which rounded up last night at various centres in the country.
Title-chasing side from Makurdi secured two second-half goals via Victor Ekioke John in the 71st minute and Alao Danbani in the 83rd minute against visiting Katsina United assured the side 42 points to push Plateau United and Enugu Rangers behind them with 41 points and 40 points respectively.
Before the restart of proceedings last night, it was Remo Stars of Ikenne at the top with 39 points but with a game to spare that ensured a momentarily lead.
In Jos, former champions, Plateau United deflated Bendel Insurance with a 2-0 win to compound the title ambition of the Benin Arsenal who had lost by a goal margin in a mid-week match fixture against Shooting Stars in Ibadan last Thursday.
After a goalless first half, Alexander Enejo opened the score for the home side in the 51st minute and Daniel Barnabas doubled the lead in the 67th minute to push the Ikenne side down the log.
Rangers consolidated on their lone goal win against Remo Stars with a massive 2-0 away win at Niger Tornadoes yesterday.
At a point in time, the Flying Antelopes were at the top of the summit with two first-half goals by Chidiebere Nwobodo in the 22nd minute and Godwin Obaje but wins by Lobi Stars and Plateau United in their respective home matches pushed the Coal City lads to third position with 40 points to their credit.
In Owerri, ‘relegation bound’ Heartland of Owerri, continued their struggles with a 1-1 score line with Sunshine Stars of Akure.
The home team endured a bad start as they fell behind off second-minute goal from Promise Awosanmi but restored parity in the sixth minute with a goal from Onyekachi Okafor.
The home side tried to push for a win but Sunshine Stars lads were able to hold on to parity. The result leaves the embattled Owerri side rooted to the bottom of the log with 19 points while Gombe United, Akwa United and Niger Tornadoes all followed in the relegation zone in the ongoing season.
