We have now reached matchday six (6) in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2023/2024 season following the completion of eight (8) games today in different centres.
Remo Stars put three unreplied goals past Shooting Stars in a South-West Derby that went down in Ikenne. Sodiq Ismail’s cross from a free-kick was met by Ahmed Akinyele, who opened the scoring twenty minutes into the game. Twenty minutes later, Franck Mawuena was fouled in rival’s box and the referee pointed to the box for a penalty. Sikiru Alimi takes it up and netted to make it two and he registered his second with assist provided by Ismail (second assist of the game) in the 63rd minute. Daniel Ogunmodede’s side have now won their second South-West derby, having defeated Sporting Lagos 2-1 in matchday four clash at Ikenne. The Sky Blue Stars currently sits top with 12 points and a game in hand – and Gbenga Ogunbote’s men are third with 10 points.
In a related development, Kano Pillars pipped Bayelsa United 3-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. Mubarak Sani scored the opener in the 30th minute and Rabiu Ali increased the lead 20 minutes later. Abba Adam compounded opposition woes to increase the tally to three six minutes before stoppage time. Pillars are fourth after accumulating nine points in 6 games and the Restoration Boys occupies the 17th place (6 points).
Kwara United defeated Paul Offor’s Sporting Lagos 2-1 at the Kwara Sports Complex. Jonathan Alukwu broke the deadlock as early as the 2nd minute – giving the Noisy Lagosians the lead but Isaiah Ejeh fired home a spot-kick before half-time break and Ifeanyi Odimmega – who replaced Emmanuel Ogbole five minutes after the hour mark scored the winner with four minutes left on the clock. The Harmony Boys have registered 8 points and found themselves in 11th and Sporting are two places above with same points.
Elsewhere, Sunshine Stars got the better of Abia Warriors in a 2-1 result at the Akure Township Stadium. Ojonugwa Adegoh gave the visitors the lead in the 15th minute and the Akure Gunners came from behind to claim a victory. Udom Ekerette head it home in the 35th minute and Michael Olalusi scored a penalty in the latter stages. It’s seven points for Sunshine, 14th on the log and nine points for the opposition in seventh.
Plateau United earned a slim 1-0 success versus Katsina United in Jos (New Jos Stadium). Sam Pam sends a free-kick to Chris Nwaeze, who calmly beat goalkeeper, Pius Ibrahim in the 13th minute. Meanwhile, Plateau player, Albert Hilary was red carded for kicking the ball after the referee’s whistle in the 70th minute. The win takes the Peace Boys to sixth (nine points) and Tony Bolus’ side are 12th with eight points.
After recording a goalless draw with Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium over the weekend, Kufre Ebong’s goal assisted by Anthony Anioke in the 35th minute ensured Akwa United edged Gombe United at home. The Promises Keepers moves up to 16th (six points), while the Savannah Scorpions are displaced to fifth (nine points).
Heartland and Rivers United played out a one-all draw at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. Heartland scored first through Onyekachi Okafor (his first goal of the season) in the 18th minute feeding off Samuel Stone’s pass. However, Farouk Mohammed finished off a free-kick in the 37th minute to restore parity as both teams shared a point after 90 minutes of action. The Naze Millionaires have only amassed 4 points, thus bottom of the standings – and the Pride of Rivers are 10th (8 points).
At the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, Enyimba held Niger Tornadoes to a stalemate affair. A result that sees Finidi George’s side in 19th, though with three outstanding games, whereas Tornadoes are 15th with 7 points after playing all games so far this season.
Lobi Stars will play host to Enugu Rangers at Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi tomorrow, while the game between Doma United and Monday Odigie’s Bendel Insurance was postponed due to logistical reasons.
Ultimately, six wins and two draws were recorded in matchday six fixtures played today, and we had sixteen (16 goals) – only the tie involving Niger Tornadoes and Enyimba failed to produce a goal.
