ENUGU Rangers defeated Plateau United 2-0 at the Cathedral to move two points clear at the top of the Nigerian Premier Football League standings following the conclusion of matchday 32 fixtures on Sunday.
A goal in the 26th minute from Okorie Chiedozie put the Flying Antelopes in the lead at halftime before Godwin Obaje sealed the victory from the spot in the 93rd minute.
The win ensured that the Coal City outfit secured a vital victory over the ‘Tin City’ side, who were 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture at the New Jos Stadium in December.
Despite the defeat, Plateau United pride themselves on as the team with the most goals at home this season, having scored 32 goals, two more than Rangers, who now have 57 points from 32 games.
In Aba, Chikioke Mbaoma scored the match-winner for Enyimba FC, who edged Katsina United at the Enyimba Stadium by a lone goal to reclaim the second spot.
Mbaoma scored a spot kick in the 59th minute to hand the Elephants their 17th win of the campaign.
At the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa United trounced Kano Pillars 3-0 to boost their escape from relegation.
A brace from Ubong Friday and a strike from Said Mubarak secured the 10th league victory of the campaign for the Promise Keepers.
Friday scored from the spot in the 35th minute to hand his side the lead before taking his tally to eight of the season just before the hour mark when he came off with a lovely finish from the edge of the box.
Said pounced on a poor pass inside the box to make it 3-0 for the home team, who have now amassed 37 points from 32 games.
The defeat was Pillars’ fourth in their last five league games, but despite the loss, the Sai Masu Gida remain ninth in the log.
In Gombe, Lobi Stars’ title chase suffered a setback as they lost 3-2 to relegation-bound Gombe United in a five-goal thriller.
The Markudi-based side raced into an early lead, with Stephen Eneji scoring after 58 seconds, but parity was restored for the home team in the 23rd minute through Michael Emmanuel.
In the second half, Anayor Ogbonna bagged a brace in eight minutes to put the hosts 3-1 up. Ogbonna scored in the 74th and 82nd minutes of the encounter for Gombe, who held off a late rally from Lobi, who scored in the 90th minute through Stanley Oganbor.
Sporting Lagos defeated Abia Warriors 4-2 in a pulsating encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos.
Paschal Durugbor shot the host into the lead after four minutes before Junior Lokosa made it 2-0 in added time in the first half.
But the Noisy Lagosians surrendered the lead after Sunday Megwo scored a brace in eight minutes to draw Abia Warriors level.
Megwo scored in the 51st and 58th minutes, just as the Warriors were gaining momentum. Sporting Lagos had goalkeeper Christian Nwoke to thank as he saved a penalty in the 60th minute to keep his side in the encounter.
Sporting, however, had the last laugh as Jonathan Alukwu scored twice as well to secure Abdullahi Biffo’s first win as coach of the club.
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars Sports Club defeated Sunshine Stars 2-0 to move up to fourth on the log.
Goals from Malomo Taofeek and Christian Pyagbara secured a comfortable win for the Oluyole Warriors.
In other matches of the round played on Saturday, Remo Stars defeated Niger Tornadoes 3-0 at Remo Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, while Bendel Insurance pipped Heartland 1-0. Doma United and Kwara United played out a goalless draw in Gombe.