Nigerian Football

Ikenne becomes bogey venue for Enugu Rangers after another loss

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2024

BY NOBERT OKOLIE

Reigning NPFL champions, Enugu Rangers on Sunday were again denied any point in an NPFL Match Day 4 fixture by last season’s league runner-up, Remo Stars.

The Ikenne side ran away with a 2-1 win inside Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun State.

It was the same result last season, making Ikenne a bogey venue for Enugu Rangers as they are yet to get away with any points.

In Sunday’s match, Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu stuck with the majority of the starting squad that earned a win over Ikorodu City, midweek, with the trio of Okorie Chiedozie, Tekena Garando and Agu Kenechukwu taking the places of Frank Uwumiro, Anayor Ogbonna and Kazeem Ogunleye in a 4-5-1 formation that caused the host some anxious moments early in the game.

Tried as both sides did to breach each other’ backline in the first period of the highly entertaining fixture, there was no goal to show for their efforts as Lucky Abdullahi was the busier of the two shot-stoppers.

However, three goals within a space of 10 minutes in the second half, decided the encounter in favour of coach Daniel Ogunmodede’ side.

It all began as Young Oyowah stabbed home the opening goal in the 51st minute. That ignited the attacking power of Enugu Rangers as Effimi Nsi was upended inside the box after been fed by Ugwueze Chinecherem who dribbled past four opponents like a hot knife on butter. The referee wasted no time in awarding a penalty that was expertly converted by Agu Kenechukwu in the 56th minute.

Tochukwu Michael benefited from a momentary drop in concentration by the Rangers backline to blast his side’s second goal at the hour mark to send the home fans into wild celebrations.

Nigerian Football

Rivers flow to the top!

Published

1 day ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Rivers United have launched themselves to the top of the log at the end of the match day 5 of the Nigeria Premier League. The Port Harcourt side beat Akwa United 2-1 to go afloat after initial leaders, Remo Stars crumbled to a 1-0 defeat at Kwara United in Ilorin on Sunday.

It was Remo Stars’ first defeat in the season. Rivers United are now with 13 points. Stephen Mayo put Rivers United ahead after 31 minutes. But it turned a temporary lead as Akwa United bounced back almost at the blast of the referee’s whistle for the second half.

Friday Apollos levelled up for Akwa United before Ndifreke Effiong Udo scored the winner in the 85^th minute.

Sunday Results

Kwara United 1-0 Remo Stars
Rangers International 1-0 Abia Warriors
Heartland FC 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kano Pillars 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Ikorodu City
Rivers United 2-1 Akwa United
Enyimba 3-0 Katsina United* Suspended
Nasarawa 0-0 Bayelsa United

Nigerian Football

Enyimba’s duel with Katsina United plunges into darkness

Published

1 day ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Former Nigerian champions, Enyimba were coasting to a comfortable 3-0 lead before the game got enveloped by darkness.

The game could not be completed after 75 minutes when the floodlights of the arena suddenly went off.

According to a post on Enymba x-handle, the match will resume at 8.00 am on Monday “ as agreed by both teams and the match officials.”

Sunday Results

Kwara United 1-0 Remo Stars
Rangers International 1-0 Abia Warriors
Heartland FC 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kano Pillars 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Ikorodu City
Rivers United 1-1 Akwa United
Enyimba 3-0 Katsina United* Suspended
Nasarawa 0-0 Bayelsa United

Nigerian Football

Amuneke’s Heartland secures first win this season

Published

1 day ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Heartland finally got into winning ways on Sunday after the Owerri side secured a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes.

The club, under former Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke had gone four matches without a win, finding themselves swimming in the murky waters of relegation.

A brace by Michael Ogu has lifted the club which climbed up to the 16^th position. They had begun the season badly losing at home to Enyimba and failing to win any of the subsequent three matches.

Sunday Results