Rangers extend lead at the top
Rangers match winner Ede (right)
Sunshine still hopeful
Rangers extended their lead at the top of the NPL to three points after a 1-0 win over Ocean Boys as Pillars drew 0-0 at Sharks on Wednesday.
Rangers thus have 58 points from 34 matches, while Pillars are remain second on 55 points.
Lobi Stars leapfrogged over third-third-placed Enyimba when they defeated their closest rivals 2-0 at home.
They have now recorded 54 points, while Enyimba remain on 53 points.
At the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenegoa, Ifeanyi Ede’s 25th minute strike was all Rangers needed to grab the three points at stake and consolidate their leadership of the NPL.
Rangers welcomed back their top scorer Chikeluba Ofoedu into their fold after trials in Norway.
Ofoedu, who played as a second-half substitute, told MTNFootball.com said he was thrilled be part of his team’s away victory.
He said "I am happy to be involved in the game, this victory has moved us closer to our title aspiration."
Pillars stayed within reach of Rangers after a goalless draw away at Sharks in Port Harcourt.
The coach Baba Ganaru-led team said they are going for victory in Port Harcourt but could only earn a point.
Pillars left back John Boyi Yampe told MTNFootball.com that it was a good game which they wanted to win but said the draw was not so bad as they will keep doing their best until they return to league summit.
“The game was tough as expected, we went there with aim to win so as to get back to the top of the table, but that did not happen, the draw was not a bad result. We will keep working hard till we return to the top of the league,” he promised.
Lobi Stars slowed down title chasers Enyimba 2-0 with coach John Zaki declaring that this was the best birthday gift for him.
Jonah Abutu scored a brace to give the Makurdi-based side the maximum three points.
Former Nigeria international was a year older on Tuesday and had called on his boys to give him a befitting birthday gift by beating Enyimba.
“I thank my players for giving me a perfect birthday as I asked for. It was the best gift I got this year. Beating Enyimba a day after my birthday was great,” he told MTNFootball.com
“We prepared well for the game and our position on the table was a big motivation for us, because we know what victory in the game will do for us on the table.”
At the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, it took Heartland 87 minutes to finally break through the defence of champions Dolphin, when Obinna Nwachukwu scored with a header.
Match winner Nwachukwu said he was happy to score his first goal of the season.
"I am happy with the victory and my goal. I am just returning from injury and I was not to play the game but I told my coach to allow me play and I got a goal that gave us victory, it was my first goal this season and I thank God for it, it was a special one,” he said.
Jigawa Golden Stars continued their impressive run at home as they won 2-0 against 3SC in Hadejia to ease relegation worries.
They netted the opener after just five minutes through Azzez Ataka, before team’s leading scorer Bala Mohammed made it 2-0 on the hour from the penalty spot.
In Uyo, Akwa United piped Wikki Tourists 1-0, while in the Akure derby, Sunshine defeated city rivals Rising Stars 2-1.
NPL Results Week 34
Wednesday
Ocean Boys 0 Rangers 1
Tornadoes 3 Kwara 1
Akwa United 1 Wikki 0
Lobi 2 Enyimba 0
Sharks 0 Pillars 0
Heartland 1 Dolphin 0
Jigawa 2 3SC 0
Sunshine Stars 2 Rising Stars 1
Rangers thus have 58 points from 34 matches, while Pillars are remain second on 55 points.
Lobi Stars leapfrogged over third-third-placed Enyimba when they defeated their closest rivals 2-0 at home.
They have now recorded 54 points, while Enyimba remain on 53 points.
At the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenegoa, Ifeanyi Ede’s 25th minute strike was all Rangers needed to grab the three points at stake and consolidate their leadership of the NPL.
Rangers welcomed back their top scorer Chikeluba Ofoedu into their fold after trials in Norway.
Ofoedu, who played as a second-half substitute, told MTNFootball.com said he was thrilled be part of his team’s away victory.
He said "I am happy to be involved in the game, this victory has moved us closer to our title aspiration."
Pillars stayed within reach of Rangers after a goalless draw away at Sharks in Port Harcourt.
The coach Baba Ganaru-led team said they are going for victory in Port Harcourt but could only earn a point.
Pillars left back John Boyi Yampe told MTNFootball.com that it was a good game which they wanted to win but said the draw was not so bad as they will keep doing their best until they return to league summit.
“The game was tough as expected, we went there with aim to win so as to get back to the top of the table, but that did not happen, the draw was not a bad result. We will keep working hard till we return to the top of the league,” he promised.
Lobi Stars slowed down title chasers Enyimba 2-0 with coach John Zaki declaring that this was the best birthday gift for him.
Jonah Abutu scored a brace to give the Makurdi-based side the maximum three points.
Former Nigeria international was a year older on Tuesday and had called on his boys to give him a befitting birthday gift by beating Enyimba.
“I thank my players for giving me a perfect birthday as I asked for. It was the best gift I got this year. Beating Enyimba a day after my birthday was great,” he told MTNFootball.com
“We prepared well for the game and our position on the table was a big motivation for us, because we know what victory in the game will do for us on the table.”
At the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, it took Heartland 87 minutes to finally break through the defence of champions Dolphin, when Obinna Nwachukwu scored with a header.
Match winner Nwachukwu said he was happy to score his first goal of the season.
"I am happy with the victory and my goal. I am just returning from injury and I was not to play the game but I told my coach to allow me play and I got a goal that gave us victory, it was my first goal this season and I thank God for it, it was a special one,” he said.
Jigawa Golden Stars continued their impressive run at home as they won 2-0 against 3SC in Hadejia to ease relegation worries.
They netted the opener after just five minutes through Azzez Ataka, before team’s leading scorer Bala Mohammed made it 2-0 on the hour from the penalty spot.
In Uyo, Akwa United piped Wikki Tourists 1-0, while in the Akure derby, Sunshine defeated city rivals Rising Stars 2-1.
NPL Results Week 34
Wednesday
Ocean Boys 0 Rangers 1
Tornadoes 3 Kwara 1
Akwa United 1 Wikki 0
Lobi 2 Enyimba 0
Sharks 0 Pillars 0
Heartland 1 Dolphin 0
Jigawa 2 3SC 0
Sunshine Stars 2 Rising Stars 1
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