NPFL Recap: Remo Stars return to summit as Plateau United end Rivers United unbeaten run

Remo Stars regained their position at the summit of the NPFL standings after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Shooting Stars in a Southwest Derby at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

An improved Shooting Stars side were giving their hosts problems, and could have gone in front in the 22nd minute after former Sunshine Stars winger Ayo Adejubu went through on goal and rounded the Remo Stars goalkeeper before seeing his shot blocked on the line by the retreating Stanley Okorom.

It took until the 62nd minute before Remo Stars could secure their points in the game. Central defender and captain Nduka Junior stepped up and sent a freekick from around 25 yards arrowing into the top corner of the goal, sending the players and fans alike into a frenzy.

The Sky Blue Stars held on to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and also return to the summit of the NPFL standings ahead of Rivers United.

Rivers United saw their unbeaten start to the season end at the hands of Fidelis Ilechukwu-tutored Plateau United in Jos. The Peace Boys secured a 1-0 win thanks to a first-half strike from Akila Jesse, who had earlier missed a penalty. Plateau United have a 100% record in their home games in the NPFL this season, with six wins from six games.

Samad Kadiri was the hero once again as Kwara United claimed a 1-0 win at home over Lobi Stars. The former Enyimba man scored the matchwinner in the second half for the Afonja Warriors, who will look to keep a sustained title pursuit in the NPFL this season.

High-flying Sunshine Stars were sent crashing back to earth as Enyimba defeated them 1-0 at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode. A clearance from goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal ricocheted off the midriff of Enyimba striker Victor Mbaoma and into the back of the net for the game’s only goal.

Niger Tornadoes defeated Katsina United 2-1 at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja in their NPFL Matchday 11 clash. A quickfire double from Ahmadu Liman and Shamsudeen Hashim put the Ikon Allah Boys two goals up before Faisal Sani pulled one back in the 42nd minute for Katsina United.

MFM ended their five-match losing run in the NPFL by holding the champions Akwa United to a goalless draw at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. The Olukoya Boys have now moved off the foot of the table with the draw.

Wikki Tourist held visiting Rangers International to a 0-0 draw at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, preventing the Flying Antelopes from taking advantage of Rivers United’s slip.

Abia Warriors and Nasarawa United played out a 1-1 draw at the Okigwe Township Stadium in their NPFL Matchday 11 encounter. The Umuahia Warriors went in front through Godwin Obaje in the third minute before Shammasu Mohammed equalised and earned Nasarawa United a share of the spoils in the 82nd minute.

Dakkada defeated Kano Pillars 1-0 on their return to their home. Following an enforced absence from their home stadium, Dakkada FC finally received permission from the NPFL to return home, and they marked the occasion with a win over Kano Pillars.

A tightly contested match was decided by a momentary lapse of concentration in the 85th minute. A free-kick from Unwana Asuquo was spilled by Pillars goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo into the path of Musa Bashir, who tapped home from close range.