Enugu Rangers Lead as Relegation Battle Intensifies

Enugu Rangers have surged to the summit of the NPFL table following a commanding 2-0 victory over Nasarawa United.

Early strikes from Obaje and Nwobodo secured the three points at the Cathedral, allowing the Flying Antelopes to leapfrog Rivers United, who dropped to second place after a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Bayelsa United. Meanwhile, Remo Stars kept pace with the top of the pack thanks to a quick-fire second-half brace from Haruna, securing a 2-0 win over Katsina United and piling pressure on the leaders.

In the mid-table and survival scraps, Bendel Insurance delivered the performance of the round with a 4-0 thrashing of Ikorodu City.

Oweilayefa was the undisputed star of the show, netting a brilliant hat-trick to dismantle the visitors.

Elsewhere, Shooting Stars edged out Kano Pillars 2-1 in a tightly contested affair; despite a late goal from Mustapha for Pillars, strikes from Ibrahim and Adegoke ensured the points stayed in Ibadan. El Kanemi Warriors also enjoyed home success, defeating Abia Warriors 2-0 with goals from Abdulrahman and Bashir.

At the bottom of the standings, the fight for top-flight survival remains desperate for several storied clubs. Kano Pillars, Remo Stars, and Kun Khalifat who managed a respectable 1-1 draw against giants Enyimba all remain embroiled in a fierce battle to avoid the drop.

While Remo Stars’ recent win provides a boost, the margins remain razor-thin.

Other action saw Kwara United secure a slim 1-0 win over Wikki Tourists, while Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a gritty goalless stalemate. All eyes now turn to tomorrow’s 3:30 PM kickoff between Barau and Plateau United to see how the table shifts further.