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    NPFL’s top three struggle still swinging

    NPFL News 2 Mins Read

    As the Nigeria Premier League gets to the home stretch, the battle for the top three assumes swinging mode with perhaps, only Remo Stars assured of remaining afloat.

    They still have their away duel with Lobi outstanding as the game was postponed owing to Remo Stars having their two goalkeepers out on international duties.

    From the second position to almost the sixth, anything can still happen as teams climb on one another’s backs as the struggle becomes more stifling.

    Abia Warriors opened the season with a 2-0 home loss are now third on the log – a position many other teams – Shooting Stars, Ikorodu City, and Enugu Rangers among others – have also recently occupied.

    Until the added-time goal earned them a defeat in Port Harcourt, Ikorodu City were already revelling in the top three and eyeing a possible continental ticket in their debut at the Nigerian elite league.

    Shooting Stars renewed their quest to return to the continent after a 26-year hiatus by defeating Niger Tornadoes 3-1 in Ibadan.

    The league remains the club’s only route to the continent this season after being thrown out of the national cup, the President Federation Cup.

    For Shooting Stars, Ayodeji Bamidele opened the scoring after 38 minutes of struggle with the visiting Niger Tornadoes.  Lick was on their side as they got a penalty converted by Anthony Okachi just before half-time.

     But the brilliance of the stars was nearly dimmed when Niger Tornadoes’ Sunday Williams struck in the 66th minute. But their free-kick specialist, Samuel Okon restored Shooting Stars’ two-goal lead in the 77th minute.

    The win revived the hopes as they moved fourth from seventh position.  

    Heartland’s hearts were not big enough as they crumbled to a 1-0 loss at home to visiting Abia Warriors. They are now drifting dangerously back to the relegation zone where they were at the end of last season.

    In Ilorin, Kwara United appeared to have run out of gas as Akwa United used them as a launch pad away from the relegation zone.

    The hosts, lost 2-0, pushing Akwa United upstream to the 16th position, just a step off relegation.

    Enyimba FC were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Bayelsa United.

    MATCHDAY 30

    SOURCE: SPORTSVILLAGESQUARE

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