Rivers United extend NPFL title charge
Rivers United strengthened their push for a second Nigeria Premier Football League title with a convincing 3–1 victory over Bendel Insurance at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
After a tightly contested first half that ended goalless, the Pride of Rivers broke the deadlock eight minutes after the restart. Former league top scorer Chijioke Mbaoma rose highest to head home a well-delivered corner from Iyowuna Douglas in the 53rd minute.
Douglas turned provider again in the 81st minute, delivering another decisive assist for Wisdom Samuel, who doubled the hosts’ advantage and put Rivers United firmly in control.
Bendel Insurance pulled one back in the 89th minute to spark late hope, but Samson Obi quickly extinguished any thoughts of a comeback, restoring the two-goal cushion and sealing a 3–1 win for the Port Harcourt side.
The victory keeps Rivers United two points clear at the top of the table with two games in hand over former champions Rangers International.
In Enugu, Rangers produced a dominant display to thrash defending champions Remo Stars 4–1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
Left-back Kenneth Igboke set the tone early, opening the scoring in the fourth minute before Chidozie Iwundu doubled the lead just four minutes later.
Franck Mawuena pulled one back for Remo Stars before halftime, but the Flying Antelopes returned after the break with renewed intensity. Wisdom Ebirim extended the lead in the 62nd minute, while Igboke completed his brace in stoppage time to cap an emphatic victory.
The defeat compounded a difficult campaign for Remo Stars, who now sit bottom of the table with 30 points from 29 matches after suffering their 17th loss of the season.
Elsewhere, nine-time champions Enyimba slipped into the relegation zone following a 2–1 defeat to Warri Wolves.
In Kano, a lone strike from Ahmed Musa secured a 1–0 victory for Kano Pillars over Barau FC in the Kano derby, lifting the former champions two points clear of the relegation zone as the survival battle intensifies.
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