Rangers beat Scorpions to go top

Ofoedu © DStv

Enugu Rangers once again climbed to the summit of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) after defeating Gombe United by three-nil at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday.

Okey Emordi’s team showed intent from the start but opened score on 43 minutes through new boy, Ifeanyi Ede to temporarily go top of the table as 3SC were leading Kano Pillars in Ibadan through an eighth minute penalty from Mutiu Adegoke.

In the restart, striker Chikeluba Ofoedu got his name on the score sheet to give the Flying Antelopes an insurance goal over the visiting Desert Scorpions after Haruna Babalo failed to put them back on level terms.

Ofoedu is now tied on nine goals with injured Mustapha Babadidi of Gombe United as leading scorers of the NPL this season.

And substitute Efe Yarhere capped a fine performance in the ‘Super Naija Sunday’ for Enugu Rangers as they climb from second to first place in the NPL standings on 37 points.

Rangers’ striker, Ofoedu was named the DStv Walka man-of-the-match after the game and got the DStv mobile device as reward for his superb display against Gombe United.

Back in Ibadan, 3SC could only hold on to their lead for 76 minutes as Kano Pillars fought back into the game with a superb finish from Nasiru Ali.

At that point, Pillars were tied on 37 points with Rangers but fall into second place with inferior goals difference.

However, another spot kick converted by Adegoke two minutes into added time meant Kano Pillars suffered a sixth loss of the season and drop into second place – one point behind Rangers.

In the big clash of ‘Super Naija Sunday,’ Dolphins were close to dropping all points to six-time champions, Enyimba after Chinonso Okonkwo scored on 41 minutes in a game played behind closed doors.

The titleholders needed a spot kick, scored by defender Kennedy Chinwo, with nine minutes to regulation time. Both sides were reduced to ten men following red cards to Laidi Semiu and Ifeanyi Egwim of Enyimba and Dolphins respectively.

Enyimba and Dolphins are now joint on 35 points but the former remain in third place owing to their superior goals’ difference while the champions stay in fourth.

In Ilorin, Kwara United had to wait till two minutes to time before new signing, Stanley Dimgba handed them the points over Wikki Tourists who battled manly after Aminu Umar cancelled Segun Alebiosu’s first half goal.

David Tyavkase scored his fifth goal this term for Lobi Stars in the Premier League to ensure they edge Jigawa Golden Stars by a goal on the bumpy turf of the stadium in Katsina-Ala.

On Saturday, Rising Stars forced Kaduna United to a 2 – 2 draw at the Kayode Oluyemi Stadium in Ado-Ekiti while the Sharks versus Ocean Boys game was called off after an alleged attack on the away team by unidentified fans.