NPFL Roundup: Sporting Lagos bottle two-goal lead, Remo Stars lose ground in title race, Oriental derby abandoned

Soccernet.ng brings the major highlights of an action-packed matchday 35 in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

A 1-1 draw between Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes kicked the matchday off to a scintillating start. An Ismaila Nasir own goal gave Niger Tornadoes the lead before NPFL legend, 43-year-old Rabiu Ali equalized for Kano Pillars.

Katsina United put four past Gombe United to confirm the relegation of Isa Pantami’s side. Michael Ibe broke the deadlock, and Andrew Idoko also got on the scoresheet before Samson Olasupo’s brace added the icing on the cake for the Katsina faithful.

Plateau United sealed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Kwara United at the New Jos Stadium. Alexander Enejo put the home side ahead on the half-hour mark before Daniel Barnabas sealed all three points in the 92nd minute.

Abia Warriors and Bendel Insurance played out the only goalless draw of matchday 35, while Lobi Stars defeated Remo Stars in a five-goal thriller. Daniel Ogunmodede’s men were hoping to take advantage of any slip-up between Rangers and Enyimba, but they skidded away in Benue, losing 3-2 to the home side.

Sporting Lagos bottled a two-goal lead in Port-Harcourt, as Bayelsa United staged an incredible comeback in their fight for top-flight survival. Jonathan Alukwu put the noisy Lagosians two-goals up with a quick-fire brace, but three minutes later, Bassey John returned the favour for Bayelsa United, with the game ending in a draw.

10-man Heartland secured a 3-1 home win over Doma United. Promise Anyanwu broke the deadlock to keep Heartland’s faint chances of staying in the NPFL alive. Emmanuel Jesam equalized for Doma United before a brace from Naldo Ingya Barnabas sealed all three points for Heartland. They’re currently 17th on the league table, eight points behind Sporting Lagos.

A 51st-minute goal from Nwagwa Nyima made all the difference as Rivers United defeated Shooting Stars, while Sunshine Stars claimed a 2-0 victory against Akwa United, courtesy of a second-half brace from Ibrahim Yusuf.

This is the NPFL. This is our pride.

The oriental derby: Rangers vs Enyimba.

@PoojaMedia #NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/B9qBtJxZeT

— Adepoju Tobi Samuel (@OgaNlaMedia) June 9, 2024

The highly anticipated Oriental derby clash between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba International lived up to its billing, filling up the 22,000-capacity Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

The game took a different turn in the last minute of the game when the Rangers fans felt their striker was fouled in the box, with the referee opting to look the other way.

PENALTY OR NO PENALTY

Be the judge

The oriental derby produced this moment in the last minute of the game with full capacity watching.

What can you see??#54FxNPFL24 pic.twitter.com/oKWbrxC8D3

— Official54fx (@54footballx) June 9, 2024

The decision did not go down well with the home fans, and they decided to take matters into their hands, entering into the pitch and disrupting the game. The referee had to call for the match to end.

How it ended

Such a promising fixture, just four games to end what has been a beautiful season. pic.twitter.com/0wJ4cwrttx

— (@official_micolo) June 9, 2024

It is yet to be known what the NPFL governing body will decide as the punishment for both teams for terrible behaviour and misconduct on the part of their respective fans.