By Adeyinka Akintunde, Lagos on May 2, 2016

League leaders Rangers International of Enugu surprisingly fell like a pack of cards on Sunday, losing 1-3 to Rivers United in Port Harcourt. It was their third loss of the current Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) campaign.

Bernard Ovoke gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Chigozie Ihunda was brought down inside the box. They doubled their advantage four minutes later through Christian Weli. At 45 minutes, Ovoke scored his second goal of the match to make it 3-0 but two minutes after the second half began, Gabirel Olalekan of Rivers turned the ball into his own make it 3-1.

Playing at their temporary home ground, Enyimba International of Aba drew 2-2 against Lobi Stars at the Umuahia Stadium. Abu Azeez scored the first goal on 28 minutes, only for Lobi Stars to equalise on 44 minutes, from Nanem Imenger.

On 52 minutes, Lobi Stars stunned the hosts by taking the lead. Solomon Kwambe scored from a cool finish, assisted by Kone. This was the first time Enyimba would trail in a local league match in over ten years. It took Chinedu Udoji to equalise from a header, after receiving an assist from Nzube Anaezemba.

Also yesterday, Kano Pillars continued their devastating form of late, defeating Sunshine Stars of Akure 1-0 in Akure. The match lasted for 82 minutes before substitute Adamu Mohammed scored the only goal, granting Pillars their first away NPFL win since May 2015. One major highlight of the encounter was the one-on-one miss by Prince Aggreh on 59 minutes. This result shoots Kano Pillars to second place in the league.

The whipping boys of last week, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, managed a 2-2 draw with visiting Plateau United of Jos. The major talking point of the match began with the penalty miss from Wasiu Jimoh of the home side, after Sunday Ingbede had handled the ball in his penalty box. He missed it, and on 27 minutes, Joshua Obaje of Plateau United scored the opener, getting his assist from Fan Lazarus. Tope Orelope of Shooting Stars drew the home team level five minutes later from the penalty spot. In the 37th minute, Wasiu Jimoh put Shooting Stars ahead off a rebound after he had missed a penalty, but substitute Ibeh Johnson had the final word of the game, equalising on the 74th minute, for Plateau United.

Daily Sports reports that two matches were played on Saturday, with Ikorodu United beating Heartland 3-1, and MFM FC beat Akwa United 3-0.

As the table stands after week 14 of the 2016 NPFL, Rangers International sit on top of the table with 27 points from 14 matches, Kano Pillars at second place with 24 points out of 13 matches, and Abia Warriors at third place, also with 24 points after 13 matches. On the lower part, Ikorodu United, despite emerging victorious at Agege, sit at the bottom of the table with 9 points after 14 matches, Giwa has 14 points after 13 matches, and Enyimba has 14 points after 10 matches (with 4 outstanding matches).

•Photo shows Rabiu Ali of Kano Pillars.

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 2, 2016

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