NPFL Matchday 15 Round-up: Remo Pip Lobi to Maintain Top Spot as Kwara Edge Plateau
The midweek matches took the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season to matchday 15 and we saw actions in 9 centres across the country.
Remo Stars secured a 2-0 victory over Lobi Stars in Ikenne. Daniel Ogunmodede’s men did the damage with few minutes left on the clock as Sikiru Alimi opened the scoring in the 91st minute and Adams Olamilekan doubled the lead five minutes later. Alimi has now recorded his 10th goal of the current campaign – and The Sky Blues Stars remain top of the standings with 29 points, while the Makurdi side (Pride of Benue) are third with 26 points.
Kwara United beat Plateau United 2-1 in Kwara. Albert Hilary gave Plateau the advantage with his sixth goal in the 19th minute, but the host captain, Kabir Balogun responded via a free-kick from 25 yards in the 71st minute and Sadiq Yusuf sealed it ten minutes later. Yusuf was later red carded few minutes to the end of the clash, while Yakubu Adam was also sent off for Plateau in the 35th minute following a second yellow card. He received his first yellow three minutes earlier. Kabiru Dogo’s Kwara are 11th on 19 points and Mbwas Mangut’s Plateau have an outstanding game; secured 22 points in 6th.
Mujeeb Odufeso’s 76th minute goal made the difference for Gombe United versus Katsina United at the Pantami Stadium. The win makes it 19 points for Gombe (Savannah Scorpions) in 12th position, Katsina (the Chanji Boys) with a game less are 15th on 17 points.
In a related development, Doma United defeated Heartland at home through Nelson Albiam’s header in the 42nd minute that came from Andrew Majalisa’s cross (free-kick). Albiam’s goal was his third of the season and Majalisa’s assist, his third so far. Akinade Onigbinde’s Doma returned to winning ways having lost to Lobi Stars in a 2-1 scoreline the last time out, and the Savannah Tigers are second on 28 points, while Kennedy Boboye’s Naze Millionaires are now bottom of the log with 13 points.
Elsewhere, but in a game that finished in similar scoreline, Bendel Insurance came out victorious as they welcome Abia Warriors to Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City – and it was Evans Ogbonda, who netted the decider after six minutes of action. The Benin Arsenal led by Monday Odigie have amassed 23 points in fourth and Abia occupies 8th with 20 points.
Bashir Usman’s late goal propelled Niger Tornadoes to success versus Kano Pillars at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna. Tornadoes have 16 points after the triumph (16th) and Pillars are 7th on 22 points.
Enugu Rangers grabbed a draw (1-1) in the Oriental Derby against Enyimba in Aba. Mbaoma Chijioke gave the People’s Elephant the lead twelve minutes into the game and Kazeem Ogunleye restored parity for the visitors in the 87th minute. Finidi George’s side have two outstanding games; sits fifth on 23 points, whereas Fidelis Ilechukwu’s team have a game in hand; 9th on 19 points.
At Onikan Stadium in Lagos, Sporting Lagos squeezed out a point in the tie with Bayelsa United in a one-all result. Robert Mizo with his tenth goal of the ongoing season put the travellers in front after twenty-four minutes and Aliu Salawudeen nicked a point for Paul Offor’s side upon his equalizer before stoppage time. Kehinde Lawal reduced Diepreye Teibowei’s men to ten after he was shown a red card by the referee in the 63rd minute. Bayelsa, with the sobriquet ‘the Restoration Boys’ are languishing in 19th (14 points), while the Noisy Lagosians with a game less are 14th having accumulated 17 points.
After parting ways with Fatai Osho, Akwa United’s first game with Umar Abdullahi in charge against Sunshine Stars ended in a stalemate at Eket Stadium. Sunshine goalkeeper, Abdullateef Ishola was sent off in the latter stages of the game after receiving a second yellow card. Ishola had earlier gotten a yellow in the 70th minute. The Promise Keepers have 15 points in 18th, while Edith Agoye’s Akure Gunners are 13th (18 points).
Shooting Stars had their game postponed as opposition, Rivers United were on duty in Group C CAF Confederation Cup tie with Club Africain of Tunisia and they suffered a three nil loss at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi, with goals from Kingsley Eduwo (brace in the 6th and 45th minute respectively) and Rami Bedoui fired home the third two minutes after the hour mark. After four games, Stanley Eguma’s Rivers are third with 6 points; Club Africain on 9 points leads the group, tied on same points with Dreams FC of Ghana, who are second and Academica of Angola are yet to win a game. Meanwhile, the Pride of Rivers have only played 10 games in the league – and are 17th (15 points), whereas Gbenga Ogunbote’s Oluyole Warriors have played 14 games; 10th on 19 points.
The matchday 15 fixtures had 13 goals, 6 wins and 3 draws; and it also produced the most red cards (4) thus far this season.
