By Korede James
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) leaders Remo Stars returned to winning ways on Sunday, overcoming struggling Heartland 2-0 in a week 29 clash in Ikenne-Remo.
Remo Stars had slipped up in their title push after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Bendel Insurance last time out.
Goals from Olamilekan Adebayo and Samson Olasupo in either half on Sunday took Remo Stars closer to their first-ever NPFL title, while Emmanuel Amuneke’s Heartland have now gone five straight games without a win.
Remo Stars are comfortably on top of the table, with Heartland in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
In Maiduguri, Rivers United kept their flagging hopes of winning the title alive after recording a 2-1 win away to El Kanemi Warriors, the Borno side’s first home defeat since April 2023.
The Pride of Rivers, coached by former Super Eagles captain and boss Finidi George, are eight points behind Remo Stars, while El Kanemi are 11th.
Taofeek Olaniyi put Rivers United 1-0 up on 47 minutes before Samson Obi doubled their lead just past the hour mark.
Risilanu Ismail struck in the 90th minute for the hosts to reduce the deficit but could not prevent a first home defeat in almost two years.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, a stoppage time goal earned hosts Ikorodu City a 2-2 draw with Enyimba.
With the result, Ikorodu City stay in fourth place, four spots and three points above Enyimba.
Tosin Oyedokun broke the deadlock in the 41st minute but Mojeeb Odufeso drew Enyimba level on 66 minutes.
Joseph Atule put Enyimba 2-1 ahead in the 73rd minute before Ayomide Cole rescued a point for Ikorodu City seven minutes into stoppage time.
In Uyo, Shootout Stars Sports Club (3SC) lost 2-0 to Akwa United, stretching the Oluyole Warriors’ winless streak to seven matches.
RESULTS
Kano Pillars 1-1 Nasarawa United
El Kanemi 1-2 Rivers United
Abia Warriors 1-0 Bendel Insurance
Akwa United 2-0 3SC
Bayelsa United 1-0 Lobi Stars
Remo Stars 2-0 Heartland
Ikorodu City 2-2 Enyimba
