The heat is on, as the most hotly contested seasons of the league wind down with exciting results in the NPFL week 28.
The NPFL week 28 games produced little surprises as the results were much to the liking of many fans.
The top six teams were all hunting for points to consolidate or improve their positions on the log as the battle for the title intensified.
At the bottom of the log, the battle for survival remained as intense as the engagement at the top of the table, with Akwa United, Heartland and Gombe United remaining in precarious situations.
At the end of action in the NPFL week 28, Enugu Rangers maintained their hold at the top of the log, but the chasing pack are not letting up.
NPFL Week 28 round-up
Enyimba stomp on Pillars in goal frenzy
Credit @EnyimbaFC X
Everyone expected the People’s Elephant to secure all three points in their NPFL week 28 tie against Kano Pillars in Aba.
Sai Masu Gida has not been in top form in 2024. In Aba, Kano Pillars were poor against Enyimba, who have been stuttering too.
The People’s Elephant went goal crazy to remind their teeming fans what they could do. They beat Kano Pillars 5-0 to move second on the log.
Another goal for Chijioke Mbaoma as Enyimba cruised past Kano Pillars 5-0 at home!🔵
He now has 13 goals this season in the NPFL and edges past Albert Hillary of Plateau United on 12 goals as he leads the golden boot race✨#NPFL24 || #NPFL pic.twitter.com/a31gIUWg4A
— Mr. Nigerian Football (@AJSilverCFC) April 3, 2024
Ekwutoziam Eze started the route in the 13th minute before Mbaoma Chijioke broke his goal slump in the 35th minute. The first half ended 3-0 as Joseph Atule added gloss to the scoreline with a minute of the first half left.
Atule got his brace in the second half before Muyiwa Alade sealed the deal in the 90th minute.
Enugu Rangers sets new unbeaten run in the NPFL 2023/24 season.
As we called it in our NPFL week 28 predictions, Enugu Rangers, the most in-form team this year, are on a roll.
Since the beginning of the year, no team has won as many games as the Flying Antelopes. They have only lost two games this year (Bendel Insurance – 2-0 and Akwa United 1-0).
The Flying Antelopes have not lost a game since their loss to Akwa United in January.
When they hosted Sunshine Stars, they extended their unbeaten run to ten games with a 2-0 win over the Owena Waves.
Kalu Nweke opened the scoring for Enugu Rangers in the first half, while Ifeanyi Onyebuchi sealed the win in the 72nd minute. Sunshine Stars finished the game with ten men.
Enugu Rangers are now three points clear of their closest rivals.
Shocks, surprises and away wins.
Remo Stars – still in the hunt for the league title, kicked off NPFL week 28 fixtures with a 0-0 draw away to Gombe United. It did not help the cause of the Savannah Scorpions, who recently won the Gombe State FA Cup.
The lone point sees them rooted to the bottom of the log.
Against relegation-threatened Akwa United, Doma United secured valuable three points as they returned to winning ways. The Savannah Tigers scored in the eighth minute through Emmanuel Jesam and held on for a vital away win.
The loss meant that the Promise Keepers remained unsure of survival in the league.
Abia Warriors dealt the chances of Plateau United winning the league a massive blow. The Tin City lads were hoping for at least a point to remain in contention for the league, but a second-half goal by Obi Samson ruined their hopes.
Bayelsa United continued their fight for survival with a slim win over Heartland of Owerri. A hotly contested affair saw Fabby Clark score in injury time of the game to hand Bayelsa United all three points.
Lobi Stars Samuel Tiza added another Goal to his Tally today after rescuing a point for Lobi Stars in their 1-1 Away Draw against Sporting Lagos
He’s one of the Main Reason why Lobi Stars are in the Title Race
Outstanding Winger 🪄 ⭐️!#NPFL #NigeriaFootball pic.twitter.com/folnxxgLn4
— Nigeria Report Football (@NReportfootball) April 3, 2024
Sporting Lagos had hoped to pick maximum points against Lobi Stars, but the Makurdi side, who saw their place at the top of the table taken over by Enugu Rangers in the last few weeks, had other ideas.
Junior Lokosa broke his goal drought in the first half, giving Sporting the lead, but Samuel Tiza Iorwuese – contesting for the Golden Boot, handed Lobi parity in the second half for a share of the spoils.
Shocker in Benin
Niger Tornadoes have not been one of the hair-raising sides in the league this season, but they pulled an upset in their NPFL Week 28 tie against Bendel Insurance.
The Minna-based side came with the force of an angry Tornado and blew down the rafters at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Much to the chagrin of Benin fans, Tornadoes took the lead in the 13th minute through Ernest Chidiebere. Akintunde Azeez made it two in the 45th minute before Clinton Jephta added the third to finish the first half 3-0.
The Benin Arsenal huffed and puffed but found the terms set by Tornadoes arduous to meet. However, Chukwudi Meze managed a consolation goal for the Benin Arsenal in a 3-1 defeat.
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars continued their rivalry with Kwara United.
In the Warriors’ battle, the Oluyole Warriors came out on top with a 2-0 win over the Afonja Warriors.
Gideon Monday and Yusuf Adewale were the goal scorers for Shooting Stars.
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