By George Akpayen
Former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists have been relegated to the second tier after suffer defeats on Sunday.
Bayelsa United fell 1-2 at the home of champions Remo Stars while Wikki’s brave fight in front of their supporters was insufficient as they lost 2-3 to Rivers United.
Ofem Nneoyi handed Bayelsa United the lead in the fifth minute at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne when he broke free and scored in a one-on-one situation against goalkeeper Adebiyi Obassa.
Five minutes before the break, Alex Oyowah headed in the equalizer for Remo Stars before Victor Mbaoma popped with the winning goal on 64 minutes to give the champions a lifeline in their battle against the drop.
It was end-to-end at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi where Wikki Tourists surrendered the lead twice after Jonathan Mairiga (21′) and Imamu Bala (49′) netted for them.
Handsome Surveyor and Chijioke Mbaoma scored a goal each to ensure Rivers United fought their back into the contest before Taofeek Otaniyi scored the winner on 85 minutes to make sure the title race goes down to the wire.
TITLE RACE GOES DOWN TO THE WIRE
Rangers hoping for a ninth title will have to wait till the final day despite a 2-1 win over Bendel Insurance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. Godwin Obaje scored twice while Alex Oweilayefa got Insurance’s goal.
The title race has been put on ice until the final day when Rangers make the trip to Lagos to face Ikorodu City while Rivers United play hosts to Katsina United.
Lucky Emmanuel’s first half strike kept Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in the hunt for a continental place as they saw out their one-goal lead against Barau FC. The win puts 3SC in third place ahead of the final day.
One of the chasers for continental places, Ikorodu City suffered a 4-2 loss at Katsina United. Jamilu Yusuf scored twice (6′, 31′) while Azeez Falolu (25′) and Daniel Agara (84′) got among the goals. Abayomi Ayodeji netted City’s goal.
Kano Pillars and Federation Cup holders Kwara United gave themselves huge hopes in the battle for survival with wins over Warri Wolves and Enyimba respectively.
Rabiu Ali scored from the spot to secure a 1-0 win for Kano Pillars while Bright Babatunde’s first half brace ensured Kwara United got the full points but both teams will wait until the final day to confirm their top-flight status.
Nasarawa United’s slim win over Plateau United was not enough to keep them in the race for a continental place. JoFrank Istifanus scored the only goal for the Solid Miners.
Perhaps the biggest win of the matchday was in Aba where Uchechukwu Onuoha’s double against Abia Warriors might just be sufficient for Kun Khalifat FC to stay in the top division for a second season. Kun Khalifat won 2-0.
The match between El-Kanemi Warriors and Niger Tornadoes ended goalless.
The final day of the season will take place on May 24.
MATCHDAY 37 RESULTS & GOALSCORERS
3SC 1-0 Barau FC
Lucky Emmanuel 41′
El-Kanemi 0-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kwara Utd 2-0 Enyimba
Bright Babatunde 4′, 29′
Remo Stars 2-1 Bayelsa Utd
Alex Oyowah 40′, Victor Mbaoma 64′ – Ofem Nneoyi 5′
Rangers 2-1 Bendel Insurance
Godwin Obaje 16′, 65′ (PEN) – Alex Oweilayefa 39′
Katsina Utd 4-1 Ikorodu City
Jamilu Yusuf 6, 31, Azeez Falolu 25′ (PEN), Daniel Agara 84′ – Abayomi Ayodeji
Wikki 2-3 Rivers Utd
Jonathan Mairiga 21′, Imamu Bala 49′ – Handsome Surveyor 34′, Chijioke Mbaoma 64′, Taofeek Otaniyi 85′
Abia Warriors 0-2 Kun Khalifat
Uchechukwu Onuoha 3′, 40′
Kano Pillars 1-0 Warri Wolves
Rabiu Ali 45+’ (PEN)
Nasarawa Utd 1-0 Plateau Utd
Jofrank Istifanus 72′
