Godwin Obaje scored before being sent off as defending champions Enugu Rangers held Rivers United to a 1-1 draw in the headline fixture of the EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Week 11 on Sunday, sportsbeat.ng reports
Shooting Stars delivered an emphatic 4-1 victory over Abia Warriors and Enyimba returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Kun Khalifat.
The encounter between Rivers United and Rangers lived up to expectations, with both sides sharing the spoils in a contest that also produced a significant disciplinary moment.
Rivers United took the lead in the 17th minute through Chijioke Mbaoma, who put the hosts ahead with a well-taken effort.
Rangers responded after the break, with Obaje restoring parity in the 53rd minute to bring the champions back into the contest.
However, the Rangers striker’s afternoon ended prematurely when he received a second yellow card in the 69th minute, leaving the visitors to negotiate the closing stages with 10 men.
Despite their numerical advantage, Rivers United could not find a winning goal as both teams settled for a point.
At the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Shooting Stars produced the most convincing performance of the round, dismantling Abia Warriors 4-1.
Damilola Akinola opened the scoring just four minutes into the encounter before Sodiq Ibrahim took centre stage with a first-half brace in the 41st and 45+1 minutes.
The hosts maintained their attacking pressure after the interval, with Issa Yusuf adding the fourth goal in the 88th minute. Abia Warriors managed a consolation through an 80th-minute strike, although the scorer was yet to be confirmed.
Enyimba also had reason to celebrate after ending their recent struggles with a 1-0 victory over Kun Khalifat.
Tobi Iyanda scored the decisive goal in the 15th minute to give the People’s Elephant a valuable home victory and a much-needed boost.
Kano Pillars continued their push towards the top of the standings with a comfortable 2-0 win over Nasarawa United. Yahaya Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Fabian Nworie doubled the advantage in the 64th minute.
Bendel Insurance secured an important away victory in Ilorin, coming from behind to defeat Kwara United 2-1.
Gideon Stephen gave the hosts the lead in the 49th minute, but Kayode Oke restored parity for Insurance three minutes later. Chinedu Nwosu then completed the turnaround in the 60th minute to secure all three points for the visitors.
Katsina United also claimed maximum points with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Lagos. Luis Dadong proved decisive with goals in the 10th and 28th minutes, while Aliyu Baba pulled one back for Sporting in the 65th minute.
Plateau United and Warri Wolves shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Emmanuel Aribogha put Wolves ahead in the 24th minute before Samuel Ayanrinde equalised for Plateau United in the 60th minute.
Inter Lagos and Ranchers Bees also played out a 1-1 draw. QuyÂum Akinpelu converted a ninth-minute penalty to give Inter the lead, but Oscar Gabriel restored parity for Ranchers Bees in the 60th minute.
The matchday action had begun on Friday, October 30, with Niger Tornadoes and Barau FC playing out a goalless draw at the Bako Kontagora Stadium.
On Saturday, October 31, Doma United and Ikorodu City shared four goals in a dramatic 2-2 encounter at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
Doma United captain Bitrus Philemon scored twice, including a dramatic 97th-minute equaliser, to rescue a point after Ikorodu City had taken a late 2-1 lead through Ujunwa Onyekeche Elijah in the 85th minute. Tomiwa Awojobi had earlier equalised for the visitors after Philemon’s first-half penalty.
EuroMatch NPFL Week 11: Results at a Glance
Friday, October 30
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Barau FC
Saturday, October 31
- Doma United 2-2 Ikorodu City
Sunday, November 1
- Rivers United 1-1 Enugu Rangers
- Shooting Stars 4-1 Abia Warriors
- Enyimba 1-0 Kun Khalifat
- Kano Pillars 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Kwara United 1-2 Bendel Insurance
- Katsina United 2-1 Sporting Lagos
- Plateau United 1-1 Warri Wolves
- Inter Lagos 1-1 Ranchers Bees
The results provided another significant twist in the NPFL campaign, with Shooting Stars making an emphatic statement, Enyimba getting back to winning ways and the leading contenders dropping points in a fiercely contested weekend of domestic football.
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