NPFL MD5 Wrap: Remo Stars silence Enyimba, Insurance stun El Kanemi in Maiduguri

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Remo Stars returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Enyimba in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter in Ikenne on Wednesday.

After last weekend’s 3-0 loss to Bendel Insurance, Coach Daniel Ogunmodede stated Kayode Bankole on goal alongside Abdulrasheed Awoyemi, Seun Ogunribide, Abayomi Adebayo, Nduka Junior, Segun Olalere, Samuel Anakwe, Olamilekan Adedayo, Ezekiel Edidiong, Seth Mayi, and Okon Aniekeme.

For Enyimba’s Finidi George, Super Eagles goalkeeper, John Noble started in goal alongside Ini Edem, Pascal Eze, Chikamso Okechukwu, Uwana Asuquo, Eze Ekwutoziam, Philip Ozor, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Emeka Obioma, Sadiq Abubakar, and Ademola Adebambo.

The first chance of the game resulted in the solitary goal as Anakwe stabbed home from close range after being set up by Edidiong from the left in seconds to score the fastest goal recorded in the league this season.

Moments later, Okon cuts in field and shoots only for Noble to save before  Abayomi shoots from range, Noble spilled but Edidiong couldn’t pounce in the 32nd minute.

Six minutes later, Mayi ghosts past two white shirts and aimed for the top corner but Noble came up with a good save and again the Super Eagles shotstopper tipped over Anakwe’s header in the 53rd minute.

Remo Stars earned its fourth win of the campaign and will next face Akwa United in Uyo while Enyimba welcomes El Kanemi Warriors in Aba.

In Maiduguri, Deputy Echeta’s 29th-minute goal made it five wins out of five games for Bendel Insurance as the Benin Arsenals secured a 1-0 win over El Kanemi Warriors.

While in Port Harcourt, Holders, Rivers United defeated Wikki Tourists 2-0 thanks to Gideon Duru’s brace.

Plateau United earned a 2-1 away win against Nasarawa United thanks to goals from Ibrahim Mustapha and Onyebuchi Ifeanyi ensured that King Osanga’s 38th-minute equaliser won’t stop the visitors from its second win of the campaign.

Elsewhere, 10-player Sunshine Stars succumbed to a last-gasp Joseph Atule’s penalty after Emmanuel Ogbuagbu’s 88th-minute red card as  Lobi Stars claimed a 1-0 win to bag their fourth consecutive victories of the season.

In Ibadan, Kwara United finally secured a 2-1 win over Akwa United to end their winless start to the season.

Goals from Wasiu Alalade and Muritala guaranteed the victory for the Harmony Boys despite Cyril Olisema pulled a goal back for the Promise Keepers.

In Gombe, Gombe United pipped Shooting Stars 2-1 at the Pantami Stadium with Yusuf Taiye’s brace despite Ghali Falke halved the deficit for the Ibadan-based side.

In Akwa, Mohamed Olanrenwaju Hadi’s goal at the half-hour mark ensured a 1-0 win for Enugu Rangers over Dakkada FC while Bello Lukman scored the winning goal as Abia Warriors edged Niger Tornadoes 1-0.

Just as the encounter between newly promoted Bayelsa United and Doma United ended in a 1-1 draw.

The visitors had gain the lead thanks to Samuel Enefioke’s strike on the brink of half time but Osoboh Osahon effort’s eight minutes after the restart ensured both teams shared the spoils.