NPFL22 Recap: Rivers United regain top spot as Remo lose third straight game

Matchday 14 of the NPFL22 season took place across various match centres in the county, and top spot in the league changed hands once again.

Rivers United picked up a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Rangers International to return to the top of the standings, pending Plateau United’s own match. The Pride of Rivers got the winner via a close range finish from former Kano Pillars striker Nyima Nwagua just after the hour match. The striker reacted quickest to stab home from close range after a ball across the face of goal from Chijioke Akuneto.

Remo Stars continued their disappointing run of form with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Lobi Stars at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi. The Sky Blue Stars conceded a goal in the 20th minute after Ifeanyi Ogba set up Gabriel Wassa to score the only goal of the game for the home side. Remo Stars have now lost three consecutive NPFL22 matches.

Enyimba played out a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to struggling MFM FC in their NPFL22 Matchday 14 clash in Aba. The People’s Elephant took the lead through Victor Mbaoma in the 7th minute, but Chukwudi Ekeocha equalised for the Church Boys five minutes later.

Sunshine Stars defeated Kwara United 1-0 at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode. Abdul Taofeek scored the game’s only goal in the 2nd minute of the match for the Owena Whales, who defended resolutely for the rest of the game.

Champions Akwa United recorded a 3-2 win over Dakkada in their Akwa Ibom Derby at the Nest of Champions in Uyo. Femi Ajayi put Dakkada ahead in the 17th minute before winger Samuel Amadi drew the champions level from the penalty spot in the 30th minute. Six minutes into the second half, the champions edged ahead thanks to a brilliant strike by Wisdom Fernando. Ezekiel Bassey further put the Promise Keepers ahead in the 75th minute before Rivio Ayemwenre scored in the 79th minute to make it 3-2.

Shooting Stars SC were held at home by Wikki Tourist to a 0-0 draw at the Lekan Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan.

Kano Pillars had to come from behind to defeat Abia Warriors 2-1 in Kano in their NPFL22 Matchday 14 clash. Kalu Nweke opened the scoring for the Umuahia Landlords in the 16th minute as they looked to pile more misery on the home side. The lead lasted a mere 10 minutes before Saidu Salisu equalised for Kano Pillars. Towering defender Abdullahi Musa got the winner for the home side six minutes into the second half.

Nasarawa United defeated Niger Tornadoes 1-0 at the Lafia Township Stadium thanks to a 23rd minute header from Chijioke Alaekwe.

Katsina United were held to a 1-1 draw by Heartland at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina. Faisal Sani gave them the lead in the 25th minute before Jonas Emmanuel leveled matters five minutes later for Heartland.