Rivers Utd Regain Top Spot as Ikorodu City, Remo Stars Share the Spoil

Femi Solaja

In Port Harcourt, Rivers United had to endure with slow start but came from behind to beat Kwara United 2-1 in a highly contested NPFL fixture on Sunday afternoon.

The win returns the Pride of Rivers People back to the top of the NPFL standing following 1-1 scoreline in the Ikorodu City and Remo Stars ‘Western derby’ at the Mobolaji Arena in Lagos

Akeem Akanni puts Kwara in front with a low drive in the 18th minute and held on till the end of the first half but Timothy Zachariah restored parity for Rivers United in the 52nd minute before David Benjamin scored the winner in the 59th minute.

The result leaves the former champions firmly in contention for the title, while Kwara United still needs to battle to remain in the middle of the pack.

In the much-touted match of the week, Remo Stars started on the front foot and were rewarded with a goal in the 8th minute, but Ikorodu City equalised on the dot of time in a highly thrilling encounter.    

After three consecutive wins at home in Owerri, Heartland FC had to endure a draw at the Dan Anyiam Stadium with a 1-1 scoreline with Bendel Insurance of Benin City.

Promise Anyanwu gave the home side the edge in the 6th minute but efforts by Emmanuel Amuneke’s side to double the lead were wasted and the same rhythm played out in the second stanza before disaster struck in the 82nd minute with the equaliser off Michael Enaruna.

Akwa United’s quest to swim out of the relegation zone suffered a setback in Yenagoa with a 2-1 defeat by hosts, Bayelsa United.

Chijioke Alaekwe put the visiting side in front in the 23rd minute but Sadiq Auwal equalised for Bayelsa in the 42nd minute but in the 80th minute, Ibrahim Yahaya gave the host the winner.

It was a goal feast in Minna as the home side Niger Tornadoes pummelled Sunshine Stars of Akure 4-1.

Goals were scored by Ernest Onyeka, Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai, Abba Khalid and Joseph Godstime. Tornadoes were four goals up till the away side managed to pull one back in the 80th minute