As Doma Utd drops into the bottom four

Rangers took advantage of the slip by Remo Stars who were in second place before the start of Matchday 33 in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to go four points at the top of the standings on Sunday, George Akpayen reports for the NPFL.

The Flying Antelopes saw off Bayelsa United 3-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu but Remo Stars despite their late rally to salvage a result at Kwara United fell short 2-3 on the day.

Godwin Obaje helped himself to a double when he scored on 41 and 66 minutes before Chiedozie Okorie netted in the 68th minute to complete the rout over Bayelsa United. Rangers now have 60 points, four ahead of the chasing pack.

It was not a good day in the office for Remo Stars as they saw their ambition of a first-ever league title suffer a setback. Daniel Ogunmodede’s men trailed to two goals off Wasiu Alalade and Isaiah Ejeh at the break.

Things got worse for Remo Stars five minutes to full-time when Ahmed Akinyele scored an own goal to make it three-nil to Kwara United before late goals from Franck Mawuena and Dayo Ojo only offered the Sky Blue Stars a respectable 3-2 scoreline.

Titleholders Enyimba jumped into second place after edging past Abia Warriors 1-0 in the Abia Derby. Bernard Ovoke came off the bench to score the winner inside the final 20 minutes of the game at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) remained in fourth place after a thrilling 2-2 draw at Katsina United. Gbenga Ogunbote’s team was seconds away from a third win on the road before Michael Egbe scored late in added time to deny them the full points.

Moses Effiong opened the scoring on 15 minutes for Katsina United before 3SC turned things around through Daddy Abdulrahman and Mustapha Agba’a on 32 and 61 minutes respectively.

At the Lafia City Stadium, Akwa United put up a brilliant performance to inflict a first home loss on Lobi Stars this season. Akwa United won 2-1 through Sani Suleiman’s brace of goals on 20 and 68 minutes before Abubakar Aliyu scored for Lobi 15 minutes to the end of the game. The win moves the Promise Keepers out of the drop zone.

The other game of the matchweek that produced five goals saw Rivers United thrash Sporting Lagos 4-1. Andy Okpe scored twice while Ghanaian Samuel Antwi and NPFL Youth League star Seiyefa Jackson got among the goals. Tochukwu Michael scored for Sporting Lagos.

In the bottom-two fixture, Heartland overcame Gombe United 3-0. Promise Anyanwu scored twice and Chukwudi Esobe completed the scoring.

Mustapha Ibrahim Yuga, Ibrahim Babawo, and Suleiman Idris scored in the Kano Pillars’ 3-1 win over Doma United, who have now fallen into the bottom end of the table after their impressive start to this season. Usman Musa scored for Doma United.

Two games ended goalless. Sunshine Stars and Bendel Insurance played out a scoreless draw in Akure while Sunday Anthony will rue his penalty miss for Plateau United who could not breach the backline of Niger Tornadoes.