Nigerian Football
Come-back kings, Remo Stars escape to victory in five-goal thriller with Abia Warriors
Remo Stars’ quest to consolidate their leadership in the Nigeria Premier League took an awkward turn as they suddenly conceded two goals within three minutes of their home match with Abia Warriors.
But they fought back gamely, just as they did in the penultimate match with Akwa United, coming from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory.
Just as the game opened into a dingdong affair, Abia United found themselves in front from a 25th-minute corner kick which Ezekiel Ayodele nodded home.
The shock was hardly over before Ijeoma Desouza doubled the lead almost on the next counterattack by the Warriors.
They almost got a third goal but for the timely clearance by Remo Stars’ captain, Nduka Junior.
However, respite came the way of Remo Stars in the 38th minute when Olamilekan Adedayo scored from outside, he area to peg the scoreline before Jabbar Malik who came off the bench scored the equaliser from a rebound to leave the scoreline at 2-2.
On resumption, Tochukwu Micheal nods in the winner in the 53rd minute. The team now lead the table with 42 points and a superior goal difference of 13.
In Lagos, Ikorodu City made a mess of visiting Kano Pillars with a 4-1 win. It was Shola Adelani who opened the score in the3rd minute and that was his third consecutive goal in the two matches.
Austin Uzondu doubled the lead in the 20th minute but Pillars pegged the score with a goal in the 37th minute by Abba Adam veteran defender, Rabiu Ali scored an own goal off a corner kick in the 54th minute and Ayomide Cole put the match beyond Pillars in the 73rd minute.
In Maiduguri, defending champions, Enugu Rangers suffered another loss on the bounce after a 1-2 defeat from El Kanemi.
The home side opened the score in the 18th minute through Salihu Nasiru but Isaac Saviours equalised for Rangers in the 63rd minute but found themselves on the losing side when Nasiru scored the winner ten minutes later.
Bayelsa United won 4-1 against Sunshine Stars of Akure while Akwa United survived another home loss with a 1-1 draw with Lobi Stars.
RESULTS
- Remo Stars 3-2 Abia Warriors
- Shooting Stars 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Bayelsa 4-1 Sunshine Stars
- Akwa United 1-1 Lobi Stars
- El Kanemi 2-1 Enugu Rangers
- Ikorodu City 4-1 Kano Pillars
THURSDAY MATCHES
- Enyimba v Heartland
- Katsina United v Plateau United
- Niger Tornados v Kwara United
- Rivers United v Bendel Insurance
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Former Super Eagles legends, Godwin Odiye and Paul Okoku, have reaffirmed their commitment to education and sports by making a remarkable donation of sports equipment and a monetary scholarship to St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos.
The gesture was made to mark the school’s 60th inter-house sports competition.
The donation included Adidas jerseys, football boots, branded tracksuits, shin guards, hoses, and goalkeeper gloves.
Furthermore, they bolstered the school’s scholarship program through the St. Finbarr’s Old Boys Association, offering deserving students opportunities to excel academically.
Okoku was a member of the Flying Eagles that debuted at the Mexico 1983 tournament. He also featured for Nigeria at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Odiye was a household name during his career as the ‘last man of defence’ in the national team. He was a member of the Nigerian team to the 1976, 1978 and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.
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Title-chasing Remo Stars have consolidated their lead in the Nigerian Premier League after inflicting back-to-back 2-1 defeat on Akwa United on Sunday.
With the win, and the 2-1 loss by Rivers United, Remo Stars are five-point clear of the second-placed sides. Akwa United now have their woes compounded as they sink deeper into the relegation zone.
Their hope of using the Remo Stars game as the turning point for revival has failed to materialise. Yet they got into the game with a dream start after opening scoring in the sixth minute through debutant, Uche Sebastine.
They held on tenaciously to the lead until the 75th minute when Samuel Anakwe levelled up for Remo Stars. Ten minutes later, Olamilekan Adedayo put the league leaders in front.
The other match that impacted the Akwa United versus Remo Stars game was that of Plateau United duel with Rivers United.
Olawale Doyeni put Plateau United ahead in the 21st minute.
The home boys held on to a first-half 1-0 lead before Rivers United rallied late into the game to level at 1-1 in the 87th minute through Ndifreke.
Rivers United thought they had clinched a valuable point. But in the added time, Emmanuel Ihezuo restored the lead for Plateau United.
In Owerri, Heartland continues their climbing with a 1-0 defeat of visiting Lobi Stars.
John Bassey’s header from a corner kick taken by Chijioke Opara in the 57th minute was the game-decider.
RESULTS
Akwa United 1-2 Remo Stars
Plateau United 1-2 Rivers United
Heartland 1-0 Lobi Stars
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Nigerian Football
Nigeria Football cheerleader, Ladipo gets National Institute for Sports fellowship
For his services to Nigeria sports, especially football, the president-general of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Dr Rafiu Ladipo will at this month’s end be conferred with the fellowship of the Nigerian National Institute for Sports.
The announcement was made through a notification sent by the country’s highest sports institution to Dr Ladipo.
In the letter dated 12 December 2024 and co-signed by the NIS Director General, Prof O.A Moronkola and Registrar, Belmond Benson, the NIS remarked that the conferment of the fellowship is based on the immense contribution that Bako has contributed to sports development in Nigeria.
The conferment will be made during the ninth convocation of the institute which will be held on 30th January at the Gymnasium of the NIS at the National Stadium, Lagos.
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