February, 25 2024.
... Remaining seven fixtures to be Played on Sunday
Collins Ugwueze was the unlikely hero, as injury hit Rangers Int'l FC of Enugu inflicted a rare home defeat on Doma United FC of Gombe, in the early kick-off, of Saturday's Day 21 fixtures, of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Ugwueze struck the winning goal, half an hour into the game, and the Flying Antelopes did everything in the books, to preserve the lead, until the final whistle was sounded at a parked Pantami Stadium, in Gombe.
While the 1-0 win, their first on the road this season, catapulted Rangers to the 4th spot on the NPFL log, with 34 points, same as Plateau United who were not in action on Saturday; Doma United had a lot of their home records at the Pantami Stadium, breached.
First, it was the first home loss of Coach Akinade Onigbinde at their fortress, since their promotion to the nation's top flight, at the end of the 2021/22 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
The defeat was also their first home loss in the ongoing season, and it was understandable, when the team fought tooth and nail for a little over hour, as they searched for an elusive equalizer and possible win.
The defeat meant they remained in 7th position, with 32 points, but all of that could change today (Sunday), when the remainder of Day 21 fixtures are decided, at designated venues across the country.
In Ilorin, Katsina United extended their brilliant run under Coach Abubakar Bala, by holding Kwara United to a fiercely fought 1-all draw, at the Kwara Sports Complex.
Adesina Gata scored just before the break, to give Coach Kabiru Dogo tutored side the lead, and the home team had victory and three points in their sights, when the visitors were reduced to ten men in the 80th minute, as Sunday Akinmoladun bagged a straight red card.
But an own goal, by Adewale Adeyinka, four minutes from normal time, gifted the Changi Boys a deserved equalizer. But they ended the game with nine men, after Emmanuel Okoko was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Meanwhile, what was an easy pick, as the star match of the day, ended goalless at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin; where Bendel Insurance hosted Enyimba Int'l FC of Aba.
The match which pitted the reigning NPFL Champions Enyimba, against the Federation Cup holders Insurance; could as well have passed for the Nigeria Super Cup; www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
The Benin Arsenal throw everything into the game, but they lacked the killer punch, and the Aba People's Elephant, survived and will return home with a share of the spoils.