Rangers maintain top spot as the MatchDay 5 of this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League are concluded with the last game being played late on Sunday in Lagos. Rangers had walloped Kano Pillars 4-1 on Saturday in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
Another traditional team of the Nigerian top flight, Shooting Stars announced their determination to be among the big sides this season as they climb to No. 2 on the log.
But it almost went awry for the Oluyole Warriors who were a goal down nine minutes into the game, no thanks to Doma United’s Nelson Abiam. Just on the dot of regulation time in the first half, Gbolagade Adelowo struck as he converted from the spot.
From that point, there was no stopping the Stars from Shooting! Kareem Ayinde gave the home side the lead in the 60th minute, while Gideon Monday sealed victory in the third minute of added time.
With Remo Stars and Gombe United already unshaken in third and fourth places, Abia Warriors took the No. 5 spot after a lone goal victory over neighbours Heartland. The Warriors have Meme Okike to thank for that through his goal in the eighth minute.
Lobi Stars dropped four places from second after losing by a lone goal in Port Harcourt. Rivers United’s Alex Oyowah settled the matter in the 42nd minute.
Sporting Lagos, who played the last game of weekend, are now in seventh from 11th. Jonathan Alukwu (27th minute) and Junior Lokosa (45th minute) gave the Lagos side the cushion as they went into the break. But Niger Tornadoes’ Yahuza Bala reduced the tally in the 67th minute.
Eighth on the table, Katsina United were engaged in a five-goal thriller at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium with the home side have the edge. Visiting Sunshine Stars dragged the tail of the tiger through Michael Olulasi, who scored one of his two goals of the evening in the 18th minute. And just as the regular time of the first half ended, Michael Ibe equalised for Katsina, only for Olulasi to strike again two minutes into added time.
At the restart, Bello Lukman took charge, bagging in in the 49th and 62nd minutes to deliver maximum points for Katsina in Katsina.
In Yenagoa, a brace by Robert Mizo (11th and 33rd minutes) gave Bayelsa United all the points despite Kwara United’s Samuel Ayanrinde scoring in the 19th minutes.
Sunday matches: Katsina United 3-2 Sunshine Stars, Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland, Rivers United 1-0 Lobi Stars, Bayelsa United 2-1 Kwara United, Shooting Stars 3-1 Doma United, Sporting Lagos 2-1 Niger Tornadoes; Enyimba v Remo Stars (postponed)
Saturday results: Gombe United 1-0 Plateau United, Bendel Insurance 0-0 Akwa United, Rangers 4-1 Kano Pillars
