Remo Stars two wins from first Nigerian Premier Football League title

By Kelechi James

Ikenne side, Remo Stars, on Sunday beat Shooting Stars of Ibadan 1-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium at the Old Western Region capital to move within six points of their first Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) title.

The victory over the Ibadan warlords, whose continental ambition is fast receding, came through Alex Oyowah in the 60th minute. It took the Bet9ja boys to 65 points from 34 games with four more to go.

Their closest rivals, Rivers United, defeated troubled Sunshine Stars 1-0 to remain in the second position. But Rivers United need to win all their games with Remo Stars losing all theirs for the title to head to Port Harcourt instead of Ikenne.

Abba Suleiman scored Rivers United’s winner six minutes to the end of their encounter with Sunshine Stars at the Adokie Aimiesiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

New boys on the block, Ikorodu City, showed that they mean business with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against El Kanemi Warriors that enhanced their continental pursuit.

Emmanuel Solomon gave Ikorodu City the lead in the 41st minute, while Sama’ila Bello equalised for the hosts just four minutes later.

Ikorodu City moved into third position on the table following the result.

Abia Warriors, beaten 5-1 by Katsina United, dropped to the fourth position following the humiliating defeat.

Katsina United wasted no time stamping their authority on the contest, with Said Mubarak firing home in the second minute to ignite the home crowd, and by the fifth minute, Bello Lukman had doubled their lead.

Abia Warriors briefly threatened a comeback when the ever-reliable Ijoma Antoine Desouza pulled one back in the 11th minute.

But Katsina never lost control. They returned from the break with fresh intent; Abdulbari Nura grabbed the third goal in the 56th minute, Lukman added his second just three minutes later, and Abdul Taofeek put the icing on the cake with a fifth goal deep into stoppage time.

In other games at the weekend, Niger Tornadoes were held to a 1-1 draw by Bayelsa United, while relegation threatened Heartland could only manage a goalless draw with Kwara United.

Plateau United defeated troubled Akwa United 1-0, while Bendel Insurance rallied to a 1-1 draw at home to Nasarawa United.

Earlier on Saturday, Enyimba defeated Kano Pillars, while already relegated Lobi Stars lost 2-4 to Enugu Rangers.

With four games to go, Ikorodu City and Abia Warriors are locked in a battle for the lone CAF Confederation Cup ticket from the league as they both have 53 points apiece, albeit Ikorodu City is third on the table on their superior goals tally.

Bendel Insurance, Enugu Rangers and Enyimba are not far away with 50 points and 49 points respectively. This means that any of the trio could overtake Ikorodu City and Abia Warriors for the CAF ticket if they falter in the final weeks of the league.

From the rear, with Lobi Stars already relegated, the battle for survival is raging among Nasarawa United, El Kanemi Warriors, Heartland, Akwa United and Sunshine Stars, who are on 43, 42 and 38 points respectively.

Any three of the aforementioned teams will join Lobi Stars in the lower league if they fail to win enough games in the last four weeks.