Goal Rain: Enugu Rangers, Jigawa Stars Secure Impressive NPFL Victories

The Nigeria Professional Football League 2020-2021 season entered its matchday four on Wednesday with huge wins for Enugu Rangers and Jigawa Golden Stars

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, Rangers overcame stubborn opposition from Ifeanyi Ubah to record a 2-1 victory.

The away team’s woes started as early as the 11th minute when Patrick Egeonu fouled ex-teammate Christian Nnaji in the area to earn himself a yellow card and concede a penalty against his team.

Israel Abia stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to smash home his third goal of the campaign.

Early in the second half and against the run of play, Ifeanyi Ubah equalized in remarkable fashion.

Goalkeeper Bonsu, who had largely been anonymous until that point, left his goal area to clear a shot but his half-hit shot presented Ekene Awazie with the easiest of finish into the unguarded net.

But Rangers were back in front five minutes later as substitute Shedrack Asiegbu made an instant impact finding the back of the net after a goalmouth scramble.

The victory is the Flying Antelopes’ third of the campaign.

Jigawa Golden Stars powered closer to the top half of the NPFL table with an impressive 3-1 away win at Abia Warriors.

A pair of second-half goals from Stone Samuel helped the Dutse-based side to just their second victory of the season on matchday four.

It was the hosts who started brightly at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, though, when Utibe Arit Archibong headed in from Nzube Anaezemba’s free-kick in just the seventh minute.

But the visiting side found a way back into the contest against all odds when Olasukanmi Quadiri drew them level following a scramble in the Warriors’ goal area midway through the first half.

Fatai Abdullahi missed the spot-kick that would have restored Abia Warriors’ lead on the hour-mark after Anaezemba was fouled in the box by Olarewaju Abdulrahman.

And Jigawa Stars took advantage of the home side’s ill-luck to take the lead 14 minutes later as Stone Samuel beat his marker to slot past goalkeeper Edafe.

And the visitors ensured all the points were safe in the bag when Stone Samuel got his brace following superb teamwork with five minutes left of regulation time.

In other games, Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with three of the goals coming after the break and Sadeeq Yusuf’s equalizer in the second minute of added time, denying the visitors a priceless away win.

FT: Sunshine Stars 2-2 @LobiStars. No enough time to complete the turn around. Well done guys!👏 #SUNLOB

— Sunshine Stars FC (@SunshineFCAkure) January 13, 2021

Three second half goals from Daniel Mark, Tega Ebetomame, and Uche Ihuarulam inspired Warri Wolves to a commanding 3-0 triumph over Katsina United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

MATCHDAY FOUR FULL-TIME SCORES

Adamawa Utd 0-0 Nasarawa Utd
Kano Pillars 1-0 Plateau Utd
Wikki 1-0 Rivers Utd
Kwara Utd 1-1 Akwa Utd
Abia Warriors 1-3 Jigawa GS
Rangers 2-1 FC Ifeanyiubah
Dakkada 1-1 MFM
Sunshine Stars 2-2 Lobi
Wolves 3-0 Katsina Utd
Heartland 2-0 Enyimba