THE Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) resumed its mid-season break with one of the campaign’s biggest upsets on Saturday.
Niger Tornadoes claimed arguably their most impressive away win of the season, defeating reigning champions Rangers 2-1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The victory was sweet revenge for Niger Tornadoes, who had suffered a 1-0 defeat to Rangers in their final game of 2024. Bashir Usman’s strike secured that win for the Coal Miners at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna on December 29.
Determined to repay the favour, Tornadoes opened the scoring in Enugu in the 17th minute through Ismael Ishak Saraki who bundled home from close range.
Rangers, led by Super Eagles assistant coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, responded swiftly when Collins Ugwueze equalized four minutes later, igniting the home crowd.
Despite Rangers’ relentless search for a second goal, Niger Tornadoes held firm. Their resilience paid off in the 64th minute when Ifeanyi Okechukwu struck the winner, silencing the vociferous home supporters.
Elsewhere, the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne hosted a thrilling seven-goal contest as Sunshine Stars edged Ikorodu City 4-3.
Sunshine raced to a three-goal lead within 34 minutes, courtesy of strikes from Ahmadu Liman, Promise Awosanmi, and Alao Danlami.
However, Shola Adelani inspired Ikorodu City’s fightback, scoring either side of halftime to narrow the deficit to 3-2.
Danlami restored Sunshine’s two-goal cushion with his second of the game in the 74th minute, a crucial strike as Emmanuel Solomon pulled one back for Ikorodu in stoppage time.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, Sunshine Stars held firm to claim the win, climbing provisionally to 12th on the league table.
