The South West Derby stole the show on Matchday 12 as Ikorodu City’s rise continues, while four games, including the top-of-the-table clash between Remo Stars and Rivers United, ended in stalemate.
Ikorodu City, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) newcomers, came back from a goal down to clinch a 2-1 victory over Shooting Stars in the Southwest Derby on Sunday, November 17. The victory marked their third consecutive win of the season — a club record.
It was a second-half-packed fixture at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena where Antony Okachi gave 3SC the lead in the 51st minute. However, Adelani Shola equalised for the Oga Boys in the 58th minute, and an 88th-minute strike from Ayemwenre Rivvio completed the comeback for the NPFL newcomers, who moved into the top 10 after launching their campaign slowly.
Meanwhile, in Ikenne, Remo Stars were held to a goalless draw at home by second-placed Rivers United.
Having managed just one win in their last nine meetings against Rivers (D2, L6), the Sky Blue Stars lost control of the game’s opening tempo to Findi George’s side, who almost took the lead inside five minutes when Peter Onuoha hit the woodwork. About 15 minutes later, the Port Harcourt side threatened again, but Kayode Bankole’s crucial save sent the game into halftime goalless.
The home team showed an improved display in the second half, but much of their efforts were defensive, as both teams settled for a draw in Ikenne.
The shared points leave Rivers one point behind Remo Stars (23), following the Daniel Ogunmodede-led side’s goalless draw at Enyimba on Matchday 11.
It was a less-than-satisfactory result for Enyimba, who failed to capitalise on the table-top draw in Ikenne to move into second place.
Jephta Clinton gave Enyimba the lead in the ninth minute, but a 26th-minute equaliser from Ojonugwa Adejoh ensured the game ended in a draw, leaving Enyimba in third place with 21 points.
Other Matchday 12 result saw Ahmed Musa-inspired Kano Pillars play out a 2-2 draw with Heartland FC in front of more than 25,000 spectators at the Sani Abacha Stadium, while Bayelsa United drew 1-1 against Katsina United at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.
Kwara United secured a 2-0 victory over Plateau United while defending champions Rangers International returned to winning ways with a 3-2 win over Bendel Insurance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
El-Kanemi Warriors also bounced back from their broken unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes in Maiduguri.
Lobi Stars remain stuck in the relegation zone after a 1-0 loss to Sunshine Stars at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.
Matchday 12’s first fixture, played on Saturday, saw 10-man Akwa United defeat Nasarawa United to leap off the drop zone on goal difference.
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