Remo Stars got ahead of Rangers to now occupy the third position on the log of this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
That spot is crucial as it allows the team so placed to represent Nigeria in next season CAF Confederation Cup, Africa’s second tier club competition.
Since Matchday 17, the Sky Blue Stars, who returned to the topflight this season, have been hovering between fourth and fifth, a position that delivers nothing else but safety at the end of the term.
All thus period, Rangers remained rooted at No 3.
Dakkada might have thought they will get something out of the match in Ikenne-Remo when Etido Dan levelled up in the 39th minute after Tolulope Ojo opened the goal gate six minutes earlier.
But the second half turned out to be dramatic as goals from Qudus Akanni (49th minute), Andy Okpe (57th) and Sikiru Alimi in the third minute of added time buried the Uyo side.
That emphatic win plus Niger Tornadoes’ victory in Kaduna over Rangers dragged the Flying Antelopes down to No 4, while Remo Stars assumed third spot.
Segun Alebiosu shot Tornadoes ahead I’m the 33rd minute. But Kenechukwu Agu cancelled that for Rangers in the 60th minute.
Musa Wakili would have settled it for Ikon Allah Boys eight minutes from the regulation time.
Kwara United remain where they were pre-Matchday 24 – fifth as Valentine Odoh equalised for visiting Abia Warriors 10 minutes after the break.
Samuel Tiza had scored for the Afonja Warriors in the 45th minute.
Gombe United risk dropping from eighth if Enyimba avoid defeat to visiting Kano Pillars on Thursday, or Wikki Tourists beat MFM in Lagos.
Lobi won over Gombe United in Makurdi thanks to goals by Endurance Ebedebiri (45th minute) and Chinonso Okonkwo (60th).
Almeen Almeen’s 76th minute strike only reduced the tally for Gombe.
That outcome did not affect Lobi Stars’ fortunes as they remain No 1 in the drop zone.
In Katsina, Sochima Elum scored for Shooting Stars in the 53rd minute in between a brace by Madaki Alkali Dauda (34th and 59th minutes penalty), while Aliyu Musa added the icing on the cake for Katsina United in the 90th.
Thursday matches: Enyimba v Kano Pillars, Sunshine Stars v Rivers United, MFM v Wikki Tourists, Heartland v Plateau United, Akwa United v Nasarawa United (all 4 pm)
Wednesday’s results: Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Rangers, Lobi Stars 2-1 Gombe United, Remo Stars 4-1 Dakkada FC, Kwara United 1-1 Abia Warriors, Katsina United 3-1 Shooting Stars
