SPORTING Lagos claimed the bragging rights in the second installment of the new southwest derby in the Nigeria Premier Football League with an emphatic 4-1 win over Remo Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on Sunday.
The Ikenne side were undone by three of their former players in the ranks of Sporting, with Junior Lokosa, Godwin Odibo and Philip Odubia all involved.
Odibo won a penalty inside five minutes and Lokosa made no mistake from the spot to give Paul Offor’s side the lead while Paschal Durugbor doubled the advantage in the 27th minute.
A 38th minute own goal by defender Salaudeen Aliu reduced the deficit for Rem before halftime but the hosts came back with full throttle in the second half, as Odubia netted two more goals to see off the game 4-1.
In Aba, Chijioke Mbaoma moved to the top of the goalscorers chart with his 12th goal of the season in Enyimba’s 1-0 win over Doma United.
Mbaoma’s 88th minute goal stirred controversy as referee Nura Abdullahi initially disallowed the goal before leaving it to stand after consulting one of his assistants.
In Ibadan, 3SC thrashed Akwa United 3-0 to send the Promise Keepers back into the relegation waters even as Lobi Stars kept their place at the top after a 1-1 draw against Abia Warriors in Aba.
The game between Enugu Rangers and Kwara United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe, Enugu ended goalless as the Harmony Boys halted their hosts’ perfect run of five wins and without conceding.
At the top of the table, it’s a neck-and-neck battle with Lobi leading the pack with 43 points, one point above second-placed Enyimba while Plateau are third with 41 points.
Heartland are rooted to the bottom of the table with 20 points after 24 games with Gombe United, Akwa United and Kwara United above them and two points each separating the bottom-four sides.
