December, 20 2023.
Doma United FC returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table, for the umpteenth time this season, and will remain their until the remaining seven Day-15 fixtures of the 2023/24 campaign, are decided at designated venues across the country, today.
Nelson Abiam scored the only goal in the 42nd minute, as Doma United FC edged Heartland FC of Owerri 1-0, at the Pantami Stadium, to take their tally to 28 points; 2 points clear of Remo Stars of Ikenne and Lobi Stars of Makurdi, who are joint second and level on 26 points.
In the only other fixture played on Wednesday, defending champions Enyimba Int'l FC were held to a 1-all draw by visiting Rangers Int'l FC of Enugu, at the Enyimba Stadium.
Chijioke Mbaoma got the opening goal of the Oriental Classic on 12 minutes, before Rangers who were keen to continue their revival, took charge of the game. But they could not find an equalizer, due to poor finishing by their frontmen, until Kazeem Ogunleye struck in the 87th minute, to earn the Flying Antelopes a well-deserved draw, and share of the points.
Despite the frustration of a draw, Enyimba moved up to 4th in the table with 23 points, and two games in hand; while Rangers are now 9th and on 19 points, from fourteen games played.
Day-15 fixtures will continue on Thursday with Remo Stars hosting Lobi Stars in a Stars war, at their ultra modern stadium in Ikenne-Remo. The Sky Blues have won all of their home matches this term, except for the goalless draw with Doma United; and will surely fancy their chances against the Father Boys.
Certainly, the winner of this fixture is guaranteed a swift return to the top of the table, while a draw means Remo Stars will remain second on superior goal difference, while Lobi Stars stay third.
Akwa United will begin life without Coach Fatai Osho, while hosting Sunshine Stars of Akure at the Eket Stadium. The 2021 NPFL champions sacked Coach Osho on Monday, following their loss to Heartland FC of Owerri; a defeat which left the Promise Keepers 17th on the table, with 14 points from as many games.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin will be buzzing, as Bendel Insurance play host to Abia Warriors of Umuahia in a potentially explosive fixture. Insurance got beaten 1-0 by Katsina United who also had a managerial change that saw Coach Abubakar Bala replace Tony Bulus, recently. On the other hand, Abia Warriors came from a goal down to beat 3SC of Ibadan 3-2 in one of the NPFL classics, played thus far this term.
Niger Tornadoes of Minna may have salt rubbed into their injury by Kano Pillars, when both sides take to the pitch of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, in Kaduna. Pillars aka Sai-Masugida are having a good run recently, while the Ikon Allah Boys are in dire need of a morale boosting victory, to jump start their faltering season.
Coach Kabiru Dogo and his Kwara United players are home in Ilorin for the visit of free-scoring Plateau United; and having been given an ultimatum to improve their form at home, it does seem only victory can placate the management of the Afonja Warriors.
Two sides who were at the receiving end on Sunday, Sporting Lagos FC and Bayelsa United of Yenagoa will clash at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, in Onikan, Lagos; knowing that victory of any margin will go a long way to make up for the ground, they have lost; www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
Sporting who were beaten 2-0 by Rangers in Awka, has got one other match in hand, and are 13th in the table, with 16 points, three points clear of bottom of the log, Bayelsa United, who got trounced 5-1 by Plateau United, in Jos, on Sunday.