Goal glut as Katsina Utd halt Rangers streak

NPFL Week 29 produced plenty of frills and thrills as goals poured in aplenty. The weekend results produced a few changes to the table.

There were eight matches on Friday and Saturday following the postponement of the Abia Warriors game with Rivers United due to their continental commitment.

While there were plenty of goals, there were no away wins but a glut of goals for fans to celebrate. Twenty-eight goals were scored in the NPFL Week 29 weekend, with six home wins and two draws.

Despite losing its first game in 11 matches, Enugu Rangers remain top of the log and are still in the hunt for their eighth NPFL title.

NPFL Week 29: Katsina Utd halt Enugu Ranger’s unbeaten streak

The Flying Antelopes took on the Chanji Boys with confidence as they looked to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games.

As foretold, it was a blockbuster, and the game lived up to the expectations as it produced the most goals in NPFL Week 29.

In a see-saw game that saw the Enugu Rangers show why they are top of the log, Katsina Utd brought the Flying Antelopes down to earth in a 4-3 win.

Where is your favourite NPFL team on the log
Are they title contenders or relegation contenders #NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/UvMMUTTfHE

— Atinuke Esan (@SucreMamito124) April 7, 2024

Azeez Falolu, Michael Ibeh (2) and Andrew Idoko scored for the Chanji Boys, while Isaac Saviour, Godwin Obaje and Joel Odoh responded for the league leaders. 

Enugu Rangers did not have enough in their tank to secure at least a point.

Lobi Stars join Enugu Rangers at the summit with a slim win over Enyimba.

Two of the league’s top scorers (Samuel Tiza Iorwuese & Mbaoma Chijioke) clashed as Lobi Stars and Enyimba took to the pitch in another NPFL Week 29 game.

Both stars fired blanks as Alao Danbani stole the show to give Lobi Stars a 1-0 win in a tightly contested affair.

The win took Lobi Stars to joint top with Enugu Rangers (51 points), but the Flying Antelopes have a superior goal difference.

The People’s Elephant remain in the top four but are losing ground to the leaders.

Plateau United return to winning ways as Remo Stars leapfrog Enyimba

On Friday, Plateau United returned to winning ways after several disappointing results. They secured a commanding victory over Doma United.

It wasn’t much of a contest as the Tin City lads romped to a 4-0 win. With four goals scored, Plateau United’s top scorer, Albert Hilary, failed to get on the score sheet. 

David Onovo and Daniel Barnabas scored in the first half, while Anthony Sunday and Bernard Mundi completed the rout in the second half.

Remo Stars received a scare against Akwa United as they continued their chase for the title.

Relegation-threatened Akwa United came to Ikenne with an axe to grind. Their loss at home last weekend put them in a position where they needed a point as their battle for survival continued.

Adebayo Abayomi gave the Sky Blues the lead in the 39th minute, while Alimi Sikiru returned to scoring as he dispatched a penalty in the 45th minute for his 50th NPFL goal.

A 47th-minute goal by Gerome Heutchou ensured it was a nervy second half for Remo Stars, but they survived the scare from the Promise keepers to win 2-1.

Sikiru Alimi with 50 career goals in the NPFL?

Junior Lokosa: Hold my glass

24 with Kano Pillars.

8 with Kwara United.

2 with Remo Stars.

& 6 with Sporting Lagos.

Do the math, that’s 40 😀 pic.twitter.com/G8KyBSMEsQ

— The League Bloggers Awards (@theOfficialLBA) April 7, 2024

The biggest win of NPFL Week 29 came in Kaduna, where Niger Tornadoes blew away Gombe United.

Tornadoes were in no mood to play and made short work of the game within ten minutes as Clinton Jephta and Ernest Chidiebere scored in the first half.

The second half saw Hussaini Mohammed and Bashiru Usman hit the target, and Jephta completed his brace.

This article was most recently revised and updated 27 seconds ago