Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan on Wednesday clinched a 1-0 home win through Christian Pyagbara’s early minute goal against Enugu Rangers as the race for this year’s Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) title race goes down the wire.
Rangers still lead the pack with 46 points but the race for the top three finish is getting even more exciting after Matchday 36 fixtures were concluded on Wednesday.
Plateau United are back in the race for continental ticket following a 2-1 away win against Sporting Lagos while Remo Stars and Shooting Stars benefited from Enyimba slip up at home to Bayelsa United to make.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, Chimezie Izuchukwu and Bernard Mundi gave Plateau United a 2-0 first half lead before Jonathan Alukwu reduced the goal arrears in the 79th minute for the Noisy Lagosians. Plateau United returned to the fifth spot with 57 points while Sporting Lagos dropped to 17th in the relegation zone.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars confirmed Heartland FC’s relegation from the topflight with a 4-1 thumping at the Remo Stars Stadium. With the result, Heartland cannot finish the season higher than 19th spot while Remo Stars moved to the second spot with 62 points behind league leaders, Enugu Rangers who have 64 points.
Enyimba lost more ground in their attempt to qualify for the CAF Champions League next season following their disappointing 1-1 home draw with Bayelsa United who boosted their survival chances with the point gained.
At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa United widened the gap between them and the relegation zone to three points after they got their fourth win in the last six games with a 3-1 victory over stubborn Katsina United.
At the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Niger Tornadoes defeated Lobi Stars 3-2 in a North Central derby to move within a point of topflight safety in 12th spot with 48 points.
Gombe United were beaten 3-1 by Abia Warriors at the Pantami Stadium while Kwara United defeated Kano Pillars 2-0.
NPFL Matchday 36 Results
Gombe United 1-3 Abia Warriors
Kwara United 2-0 Kano Pillars
Bendel Insurance 2-1 Rivers United
Shooting Stars 1-0 Rangers
Niger Tornadoes 3-2 Lobi Stars
Akwa United 3-1 Katsina United
Remo Stars 4-1 Heartland
Sporting Lagos 1-2 Plateau United
Enyimba 1-1 Bayelsa United
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
