NPFL MD 7: Doma United secure Gombe bragging rights; Shooting Stars crush Tornadoes; Mbaoma to Enyimba’s rescue

Enugu Rangers returned to the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League following their 2-0 win over struggling Heartland at the Awka City Stadium, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Goals at the start of each half from Kazeem Ogunleye and Kenneth Igboke were all Rangers needed to bag their fourth win in seven games and leap above Remo Stars and Lobi Stars.

Doma United claimed the only away win of the weekend as they took Gombe United to the cleaners with a 0-3 triumph inside the packed Pantami Township Stadium in Gombe.

The city rivals were equally matched in wits and tactical nous in the opening half before Emmanuel Ekpeyong broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute.

Emmanuel Jesam then pounced on two long passes from his goalkeeper to run clear of the home side’s defences and score the second and third goals for Doma United.

Plateau United secured their first away point of the season as they held Akwa United to a goalless draw in Eket.

There was also no victor and no vanquished in Port Harcourt as Rivers United scored late to share the spoils with Sunshine Stars in a 1-1 draw.

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars showed no mercy to Niger Tornadoes as the Oluyole Warriors strolled to a 4-1 victory.

Ayobami Samuel Adekunle headed home the opener for Shooting Stars in the 16th minute, only for Chidiebere Ernest to draw Tornadoes back on levelled terms ten minutes later.

The visitors, however, had no reply to Shooting Stars’ second goal, a fierce long-range drive from Ayodeji Bamidele and their third goal from Gbolagade Adelowo.

Kareem Ayinde completed the rout three minutes before time as Shooting Stars went equal on points with league leaders, Rangers.

Abia Warriors moved momentarily into the top four after edging to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Katsina United.

Mbaoma Chijioke’s penalty in first-half stoppage time saved Enyimba International’s blushes as George Finidi’s men struggled to a narrow 1-0 win over Kwara United.

At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance soared to a slim 1-0 victory over Remo Stars, ending the visitors’ run of three straight wins.

On Monday, Bayelsa United will face a difficult challenge on home soil against Lobi Stars, while Sporting Lagos will face Kano Pillars for the first time in their short history.