StarTimes/NPFL: Heartland Relegated As Rangers Fall In Ibadan

StarTimes/NPFL: Heartland Relegated As Rangers Fall In Ibadan

By Niyi Busari

Heartland have become the second club to be relegated in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League while league leaders, Enugu Rangers, were on the losing side on Wednesday as old rivals, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, picked the maximum points before a capacity home crowd.

Remo Stars who moved to second with two points behind Rangers compounded Heartland woes with 4-1 bashing sending the team to the second tier of Nigerian league.

In Ibadan, Christian Pyagbara’s header in the 12th minute earned Shooting Stars three points and consolidated their quest for continental ticket next season.

In the other matches, defending champions, Enyimba of Aba dropped to third position following a disappointing 1-1 scoreline with visiting Bayelsa United.

Alade Balogun puts the home side in front in the 20th minute but relegation threatening Bayelsa side restores parity in the 35th minute through Ekeson Okorie.

The result pushed Enyimba to the third position following Remo Stars’ comprehensive 4-1 win over Heartland of Owerri at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

An early goal from Stanley Joseph in the 14th minute and Franck Mawuena in the 38th minute gave the home side respite till the end of the half.

Joseph pushed further with the third goal in the 69th minute just as Jide Fatokun scored another dip into injury time to make Chukwu Emeka’s consolatory goal earlier in the secured inconsequential.

In Ilorin, Kwara United won 2-0 at home against Kano Pillars while Niger Tornadoes won 3-2 against Lobi stars. Plateau United compounded Sporting Lagos’ relegation battle with a 2-1 win away in Lagos.

 Bendel Insurance were 2-1 better against Rivers United at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin just as Akwa United enjoyed a 3-1 win over Katsina United and Abia Warrious won 3-1 away at Gombe United.

NPFL Matchday 36 Full Results

Gombe - Abia Warriors 1-3

Akwa United - Katsina Utd 3-1

Bendel - Rivers United 2-1

Enyimba - Bayelsa United 1-1

Kwara United - Kano Pillars 2-0

Niger Tornadoes - Lobi Stars 3-2

Remo Stars - Heartland 4-1

Sporting Lagos - Plateau United 1-2

Shooting - Enugu Rangers 1-0