Rangers maul Ikorodu to maintain NPFL lead News

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Rangers maul Ikorodu to maintain NPFL lead

By Daily Sports on May 16, 2016

Enugu Rangers 4-1 Ikorodu United

Enugu Rangers produced a sparkling performance to thrash Ikorodu United 4-1 at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium on Sunday.

The result ended Rangers' run of three games without a win.

They are still on top of the table with 31 points from 17 games.

A brace from Tope Olusesi, a first half own goal credited to Francis Nnedum, added to another strike from Obinna Nwobodo, handed the Flying Antelopes a big win over the Oga Boys, who scored a consolation goal through Moses Ebiye.

Rangers got off to a dream start when Nnedum turned home the ball in the 11th minute, under pressure from a group of Rangers attackers for an own goal.

Six minutes later it was a moment of magic from Chisom Egbuchulam who helped set up Olusesi, and the latter powered home from inside the box.

In the 21st minute it was 3-0 to the home side and the away team was in trouble.

Olusesi was at the right place to apply the all important finishing touch much to the delight of the fans in Enugu.

Ebiye scored what later turned to be a face saving goal for the Oga Boys 24 minutes into the fixture.

Ikorodu United showed no hunger to get back into the match in the second half, while Rangers continued to search for goals.

The visitors should have pulled another goal back but Ebiye failed to score when on one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

If the home fans thought it was all over in terms of scoring they were wrong, as Rangers had one more goal in them before the match ended.

Nwobodo scored a wonderful goal for his side to make it 4-1.

Enyimba FC 2-0 FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Goals from Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and Etor Daniel were enough to hand Enyimba a 2-0 win over Heartland FC at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Saturday.

Enyimba controlled the game from the onset and made their intentions clear early on, as the likes of Etor and Ibenegbu threatened on a few occasions. The away side also had chances to score.

The People's Elephants had the first chance in the fourth minute when "Mosquito" forced Edwin Nwankanma into a fine save from 12-yards out, after some good work by Etor.

Etor also delivered a sweetener that failed to catch Nwankanma off guard.

Brazilian import Alberico Da Silva forced Theophilus Afelokhai into a wonderful save with his free kick in the 16th minute.

However, Enyimba broke the deadlock a minute later, as Ibenegbu brilliantly side-footed home from a tight angle.

Ifeanyi Ubah were no match for the reigning NPFL champions and were second best in every department. They headed into the break a goal down.

The visitors saw a bit more of the ball at the start of the second half, with Chibuzor Okonkwo delivering a free kick that was well gathered by Afelokhai.

The home side added to their advantage in the 60th minute, as Etor scored from a well planned free kick.

Enyimba were quite content with the two-goal lead and passed the ball around in the closing stages, as they secured a comfortable victory.

Wikki Tourists 4-0 Shooting Stars

Godwin Obaje delivered a man-of-the-match display as he netted a hat trick in Wikki Tourists' 4-0 annihilation of Shooting Stars at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium on Sunday.

The youngster scored a goal one minute after the hour mark before adding two more in the last fifteen minutes to give his side maximum points in the week 17 clash.

Obaje got the opening goal in the 61st minute to give Wikki Tourists a 1-0 lead.

The former Mighty Jets forward doubled his tally with fifteen minutes left in the second half with a superb finish off a Mustapha Ibrahim's assist.

Saidu Abdullahi scored the third goal of the game with four minutes left on the clock.

Obaje effectively ended the tie with another goal in injury-time as Wikki Tourists zoomed to third spot on the log and continue to pile the pressure on leaders Rangers who easily dispatched Ikorodu United 4-1.

Abia Warriors 1-0 Rivers United

Rivers United suffered their seventh league defeat in 2016 when they were edged 1-0 by Abia Warriors at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday.

A brilliantly struck goal by Olaha Michael ensured that the homers walked away with the maximum points to go second on the NPFL standings.

The Pride of Rivers, on the other hand, are now sixth in the NPFL table with 28 points.

The hosts started better between the two sides and they dominated the proceedings, but they failed to trouble goalkeeper Rotimi Sunday.

United enjoyed good passes in the middle of the park, Kennedy Boboye's men didn't allow them to penetrate and find their way to the box as they lacked a direct attacking player.

23 minutes into the game, Olaha scored from Bolaji Sakin's cross as Abia Warriors' supporters heaved a sigh of relief.

The Garden City side showed enterprise and pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Chisom Chikatara had the chance to double the advantage from the penalty spot but his kick was stopped by veteran shot stopper Rotimi.

Rivers United technical crew tried to motivate their charges, however, it wasn’t meant to be as Abia Warriors walked away with the three points handing the away side their first defeat in the last four matches.

Plateau United 1-1 El-Kanemi Warriors

Impressive El-Kanemi Warriors were held to a 1-1 draw by inconsistent Plateau United at the Rwang Pam Stadium.

Warriors went in front through Daniel Japhet's effort before Reuben Bala rescued a point for the Jos based.

The hosts could not force a winner and sit in the 14th spot, while Warriors are still in the dreaded relegation zone.

The technical crew of Plateau United wanted a larger share of the ball before the match got underway and they obliged with 56% of possession in the game.

However, against a fearless Warriors side, their dominance did not lead to the much needed three points

The away side drew the curtain raiser 23 minutes into the second half, with Japhet the scorer.

Bala got his execution right to net an 82nd minute leveler for the Zachary Baraje tutored side.

Plateau United tried to force a late winner, but Warriors held out for a precious away point after the success of winning 2-0 against Kano Pillars on Thursday.

Warri Wolves 2-0 Sunshine Stars

Sunshine Stars suffered their sixth defeat in the 2016 NPFL season as they went down 2-0 to Warri Wolves at the Warri City Stadium.

A brace from striker Sikiru Alimi gave the Seasiders the points that saw them zoom to 9th on the log.

Wolves got off to a blistering start, while the Owena Waves still looked to be asleep in their nests, but they were rudely awoken when Alimi scored the game's opening goal in the 55th minute.

Alimi wrapped up matters in the 59th minute when he scored his second goal after Efe Yarhere broke down the flank and supplied an inch perfect cross for the former First Bank forward to finish.

Akwa United 1-0 Nasarawa United

Akwa United secured a hard fought 1-0 win against Nasarawa United at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

The result was the Solid Miners' 10 loss of the campaign. They were second best before the break, but improved after halftime.

Ubong Ekpai scored the only goal of the game in the first half to secure a success that earned the eighth win of the season for the Promise Keepers.

Nasarawa United threw everything forward in the closing stages, and there was a nervous moment, but it was not enough and Akwa United clung on to win.

MFM FC Vs Niger Tornadoes (Game Moved To Monday Due To Water Logged Pitch)

The Nigeria Professional Football League week 17 fixture between MFM FC and Niger Tornadoes has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Both sides were scheduled to play at the Agege Stadium but the heavy downpour forced it to be called off.

A pitch inspection was set for 1pm on Sunday afternoon, but the game has now been postponed.

The match officials had to take the players' safety into consideration when making the decision to postpone the game.

It will now take place on Monday morning. Kickoff is 8am.

Lobi Stars 2-0 Giwa FC

Anthony Okpotu and Emmanuel Ajia were on song as Lobi Stars condemned Giwa FC to their seventh defeat in a row.

The game ended 2-0 in favour of the Pride of Benue at the Aper Aku Stadium.

Godwin Uwua's Stars scored their first goal from the penalty spot thanks to Okpotu.

Ajia extinguished the fire in the Jos Elephants with the second of the game late in the first stanza.

Lobi essentially shut out the visiting side in the second half, and did what was necessary to take the game and ensured that they moved to fifth in the table.

•Text copied from goal.com.

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 16, 2016