NPFL: Shooting Stars outshine Tornadoes as Sunshine Stars pick point in Rivers
The Stars from Ibadan quickly shrugged off their poor outing in Ikenne last Wednesday where they lost the Southwest derby by 3-0 to Remo Stars.
By Olusola Adebayo
Shooting Stars of Ibadan defeated Niger Tornadoes by 4-1 in matchday seven of the Nigeria Premier Football League, (NPFL)played at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Sunday 4th of November, 2023.
The Stars from Ibadan quickly shrugged off their poor outing in Ikenne last Wednesday where they lost the Southwest derby by 3-0 to Remo Stars.
Ayobami Adekunle opened the flood game in the 17th minute, but Chidiebere Ernest equalised for Tornadoes 10 minutes before the break to end the first half at 1-1.
Three second-half goals from Samuel Bamidele, Gbologade Adelowo, and Kareem Ayinde put the game beyond Tornadoes to ensure the visitors left Ibadan empty-handed thus preserving Shooting Stars' 100% home win records this season with four victories in four matches.
In Gombe, Doma United scored three unreplied goals over City rivals Gombe United, to hold on to the bragging rights over the Savannah Scorpion.
The sold-out match attracted over 10,000 fans to the Pantanmi stadium as the stadium was filled before kick-off.
The match which was dubbed the Savvanah derby lived up to expectations as both sides made it an end-to-end stuff in the first half, but no goals were scored in the second half.
Doma United Goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi was the hero of the day. The six-foot goalkeeper continues his fine form which has been getting rave reviews from watchers of the league as he assisted two of the three goals scored by Savannah Tigers.
Emmanuel Jesam was set up twice by Osayi, and he made no mistakes in converting the two chances.
Ekpenyong opened the score in the 52nd minute of the game after a goalless first half.
Jesam doubled the lead in the 56 minutes and put the icing in 86 minutes to guarantee the victory on the day for the Savannah Tiger winning their first away win of the season.
In Awka, Rangers International defeated Heartland 2-0 in the Oriental derby at the Awka City Stadium on Sunday night to return to the summit and winning ways and cruised to their first clean sheet of the season.
Kazeem Ogunleye and Kenneth Ogboke were the goal scorers for the Rangers.
In Benin, Bendel Insurance defeated Remo Stars by a lone goal, courtesy of Sarki Ismail's effort in the first half.
Remo Stars however thought they ve gotten an equaliser late in the second when Jide Fatokun, blinder from forty yards found the back of the net.
The goal came from a throw-in near Bendel Insurance's goal area but their jubilation was cut short after Okon Aniekan was adjudged to have his legs crossed the touchline when he took the throwing in.
In Port Harcourt Sunshine Stars got a share of the spoils against Rivers United as it ended 1-1 at Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium.
Alex Oyowah's late goal cancelled out Duke Osimaga's 52-minute goal to ensure an away victory was averted.
Akwa United failed to beat Plateau United as both teams settled for a barren draw while Enyimba piped Kwara United by 1-0 in Aba as Chinoke Mbaoma converted the only goal from the penalty spot.
Abia Warriors defeated Katsina United by 2-1. Ibrahim Dehinde scored twice to give Abia Warriors a comfortable 2-0 as Falolu Azeez's goal in the 86t my for the Chanji Boys could only be a consolation.
FULL RESULTS
Abia Warriors 2-1 Katsina Utd
Akwa Utd 0-0 Plateau Utd
Bendel 1-0 Remo stars
Rangers 2-0 Heartland
Enyimba 1-0 Kwara Utd
Rivers Utd 1-1 Sunshine stars
Shooting Star 4-1 Niger Tornadoes
Gombe Utd 0-3 Doma Utd
