On Sunday, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) concluded its matchday 29 fixtures across the country. These included six home wins and two draws. In the eight matches played, 16 goals were scored. Rivers United maintained their lead over Remo Stars with a 1-0 victory on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
The closely contested match appeared to be heading for a stalemate until Kazie Enyinnaya’s second-half strike gave Rivers United the three points they needed while also extending their unbeaten run at home. Both teams made roster changes from the previous week. Rivers United were without their leading scorer, Rafiu Kayode, due to accumulated cards.
The Remo Stars also left out their leading scorer, Andy Okpe, who is currently suspended from the NPFL due to documentation issues. Meanwhile, cleared Isah Ali made Gbenga Ogunbote’s list against Rivers United. Rivers United had a chance to break the deadlock in the eighth minute, but Joseph Onoja’s header went wide.
The first ten minutes of the game were cautious, and that continued for the rest of the first half. Nothing seemed to have changed in the second half, as chances were scarce.
However, after a string of failed attempts, the hosts finally broke through in the 76th minute when a dropped ball from Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole hit Kazie Enyinnaya. The Remo Stars’ loss to Rivers United on Sunday was their fifth in six meetings. Rivers United remained in first place with 61 points, while Remo Stars fell to fourth with 46 points.
In other news, Gombe United defeated Kwara United in a thrilling six-goal thriller. The Afonja Warriors were defeated 4-2 by the Savanah Scorpions, who have remained unbeaten at Pantami Stadium this season.
A brace from Abdulazeez Yusuff and second-half goals from Barnabas Daniel and Samaila Bello gave the Savannah Scorpions an edge over Kwara United, who got consolation goals from Jide Fatokun and Junior Lokosa.
Gombe United moved up to eighth place with 41 points, while Kwara United fell to sixth place with 43 points. Akwa United moved up to fifth place in Uyo after a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes.
Etim Matthew’s 84th-minute penalty sealed a crucial victory for the Promise Keepers, who have now gone three games unbeaten. The Tornadoes’ defeat dropped them to 15th place with 36 points, while Akwa United moved up to fifth place with 44 points.
