NPFL round-up: Rangers thrash Pillars to go top as Akwa earn away point

The fifth match day of the new Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season produced sparkles that continued in the tradition of the previous weekend. 

Twenty-three goals were scored in a round of fixtures that produced one away point on the road.

Enugu Rangers 4-1 Kano Pillars

Rangers steamrolled Pillars 4-1 at the Awka City stadium in Anambra on Saturday.

A brace from Godwin Obaje and additional goals from Isaac Saviour and skipper Chukwudi Nwaodu cancelled Muhammad Yakubu’s early strike for Rangers’ third league win of the season.

The Flying Antelopes go top of the league with 10 points and a superior goal difference over Shooting Stars FC.

Bendel Insurance 0-0 Akwa United

Akwa United held Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium to nick a vital away point on Saturday.

The result was the Promise Keepers’ third draw of the season. They stay rooted at the bottom of the log.

3SC 3-1 Doma United

Goals from Gbolagade Adelowo, Kareem Ayinde and Gideon Monday secured a brilliant victory for Shooting Stars at the Lekan Salami stadium on Sunday.

3SC sit second on the log with just goal difference separating the club and Rangers at the top.

Katsina United 3-2 Sunshine Stars

Katsina United defeated Sunshine Stars in a five-goal thriller on Sunday.

A brace from Bello Lukman and a goal on the stroke of halftime by Michael Okoro ensure Katsina triumphed over the Owena Waves despite two goals from Michael Olulasi.

Sporting Lagos 2-1 Niger Tornadoes

Junior Lokosa scored his first goal of the season for Sporting Lagos in a home win over Tornadoes on Sunday evening.

Jonathan Alukwu scored the first goal of the game, while Yahuza Bala got a consolation goal for the Tornadoes.

Bayelsa United 2-1 Kwara United

Robert Mizo continued his brilliant form as he scored a brace to help Bayelsa United overcome Kwara United at the Samson Siasia stadium.

Other results: Rivers United, Abia Warriors and Gombe United secured lone-goal victories in their respective home games against Lobi Stars, Heartland FC and Plateau United.

FULL RESULTS

Enugu Rangers 4-1 Kano Pillars

Bendel Insurance 0-0 Akwa United

Gombe Utd 1-0 Plateau Utd

3SC 3-1 Doma Utd

Rivers Utd 1-0 Lobi

Katsina Utd 3-2 Sunshine Stars

Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland

Bayelsa Utd 2-1 Kwara Utd

Sporting Lagos 2-1 Tornadoes