Two of Nigeria’s heavyweights, Remo Stars and Rangers Worldwide, roared again to kind on Monday with essential wins that reignited their home ambitions within the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
On the MKO Abiola Sports activities Area in Abeokuta, defending champions Remo Stars ended their transient stoop with a convincing 2–0 victory over Wikki Vacationers, whereas Rangers Worldwide edged Katsina United 1–0 in a rain-delayed fixture in Enugu. Each outcomes got here as well timed boosts in a league marketing campaign that has already begun to check character and depth.
Remo Stars discover their Rhythm once more
After consecutive defeats to Plateau United and Abia Warriors, there was quiet stress on Daniel Ogunmodede’s Sky Blue Stars to rediscover their home momentum following their promising begin within the CAF Champions League.
The primary half noticed Remo dictate play however fail to transform dominance into objectives, with Olamilekan Adedayo and Ibrahim Shuaib each coming near breaking the impasse.
Their persistence lastly paid off within the 79th minute when Malian import Adama Goita pounced on the far put up to transform a exact Ibrahim Abubakar cross. With confidence restored and Wikki’s defence stretched, Alex Oyowah sealed the consequence within the ninetieth minute, capitalising on a goalkeeper’s spill to fireplace dwelling the second objective.
That late surge not solely secured all three factors but in addition marked a psychological turnaround for the champions, who now sit ninth on the NPFL desk with ten factors from six matches.
Rangers grind out victory in rain-delayed conflict
In Enugu, the Flying Antelopes accomplished their weather-interrupted match towards Katsina United, grinding out a 1–0 victory that mirrored their grit and tactical persistence.
The sport, suspended on Sunday after torrential rain rendered the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium pitch unplayable, resumed early Monday morning. Inside 25 minutes of restart, Godwin Obaje confirmed composure within the field, slotting dwelling the one objective from a low cross at hand Rangers a valuable lead.
Regardless of going a person down late within the sport after Jerry was despatched off for a reckless problem, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s males held agency, repelling wave after wave of Katsina stress till the ultimate whistle.
The win, Rangers’ second of the season, lifts them from seventeenth to thirteenth on the desk with eight factors and a sport in hand towards Abia Warriors. Katsina United, in the meantime, stay tenth with 9 factors, ruing a missed alternative to interrupt into the highest half.
The Race heats up
With the season starting to take form, each victories function reminders of pedigree and ambition.
Remo’s restoration underscores their intent to defend the title, whereas Rangers resilience in adversity displays a facet decided to reclaim its place amongst Nigeria’s elite.
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The Flying Antelopes might be again in motion on Wednesday, internet hosting Abia Warriors in a postponed matchday 4 conflict, an opportunity to maintain their upward climb alive.
Remo Stars, in the meantime, journey to face Katsina United subsequent, keen to show one robust efficiency into sustained momentum.
A league of fantastic margins
The NPFL’s opening weeks have already delivered a compelling mixture of high quality, unpredictability, and tactical evolution. Golf equipment like Enyimba, Rivers United, and Nasarawa United are setting early tempo, however as historical past exhibits, championship races in Nigeria are marathons, not sprints.
For Remo Stars and Rangers, Monday’s victories weren’t nearly three factors, they had been statements. Statements that champions get well and that contenders by no means cease believing.
