By Korede James
Enyimba played 1-1 draw with Heartland in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in Thursday’s Oriental Derby, while Rivers United missed an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Remo Stars.
Enyimba have now gone five straight matches without a win, recording two draws and three defeats.
Also, they went into Thursday’s game on the back of three consecutive defeats.
Daniel Ekpo opened the scoring for Heartland after converting an 18th minute penalty.
Joseph Atule drew Enyimba level 10 minutes into the second half but the hosts could not find the winning goal.
Enyimba, the most successful club in NPFL history, are ninth in the league table with a game in hand, while Heartland are 13th.
In Port Harcourt, Finidi George’s Rivers United played out a 2-2 draw with visiting Bendel Insurance to remain in the third spot.
A win would have taken Rivers United past Shooting Stars into second spot, but they needed to fight back twice against Insurance to earn a point, with the spectacularly named Handsome Surveyor scoring their second equaliser seven minutes after the break.
The Pride of Rivers are seven points off top spot and one adrift of 3SC in second place, while Bendel Insurance are 17th, one point from safety and with a game in hand.
In other NPFL clashes on Thursday, Katsina United defeated Plateau United 1-0, and Nigeria Tornadoes beat Kwara United 2-1.
NPFL RESULTS
Katsina United 1-0 Plateau United
Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Kwara United
Rivers United 2-2 Bendel Insurance
Enyimba 1-1 Heartland
