Debutant Olasupo strengthens Remo Stars’ grip on Nigeria League leadership

Nigerian league leaders have extended their hold on the log with a 12-point gap after labouring to a hard-won victory over relegation struggling Plateau United.

Great thanks to debutant, Samson Olasupo whose 74th minute goal gave Remo Stars the maximum points. He came in on the half hour mark for Sikiru Alimi before becoming a scoring debutant.

The match was heading for a goalless draw after Remo Stars had missed a penalty kick in the first half and a goal in the 50th minute by Sikiru Alimi was questionably ruled offside by Referee Bashir Adamu Liman from Kaduna State.

The result has pushed the Remo side to 54 points but will wait till the conclusion of Monday’s match between Shooting Stars and Rivers United as the 12-point gap will certainly be narrowed by either a point or three.

Both Shooting Stars and Rivers United are tied on points at 42. A draw will reduce the gap with Remo Stars to 11 and a win by either side will see Remo Stars leading by nine points.

In Kano, the defending champion Enugu Rangers suffered a 2-1 defeat against the  Kano Pillars and tumbled down the ladder to the fifth position on the log.

Bashiru Usman’s well-taken penalty gave the visitors the lead in the 33rd minute, but veteran defender Rabiu Ali restored parity three minutes before the end of the first stanza, and Jerry Alex scored the winning goal in the 60^th minute.

Abia Warriors and Nasarawa United battled to a 1-1 scoreline in Abakaliki. The home side, Abia opened the score in the 31^st minute through Sunday Megwo but the visiting Nasarawa side restored parity in the 37^th minute via Mohammed Garba.

Bendel Insurance’s impressive five-match run was brought to a halt in Yenagoa following a 1-2 defeat by host, Bayelsa United. Bendel Insurance had not lost any match since the late-minute lone goal loss to Shooting Stars in Ibadan last month.

Interestingly, it was the away side that drew the first blood in the 36^th minutethrough Kayode Solomon but the home side drew level in the added time of the first half through James Emorun before Bina Tombiri scored the winner in the 69^th minute.

Former Champion, Enyimba revived the chances of top finishing with a lone goal away win at Niger Tornadoes. It was Joseph Atule’s strike in the 62^nd minute that settled the score.

In Lagos, Ikorodu City handed a two-nil defeat to Heartland of Owerri with goals from Leonard Ngenge in the 9^th minute and Ayomide Cole in the 59^th minute of the match.

SUNDAY RESULTS

• Remo Stars 1-0 Plateau Utd
• Abia Warriors 1-1 Nasarawa Utd
• Bayelsa Utd 2-1 Insurance
• Kao Pillars 2-1 Rangers
• Ikorodu City 2-0 Heartland
• Tornadoes 0-1 Enyimba

Monday fixtures

• Shooting Stars Vs River Utd
• El Kanemi Vs Lobi
• Akwa Utd Vs Katsina Utd