Idris Adesina
Enugu Rangers on Sunday defeated Enyimba 2-1 in Enugu to maintain their stay at the top of the Nigeria Premier League while Sunshine Stars also grabbed their first three points of the season after they defeated Shooting Stars 2-1 on Sunday at the Akure Stadium.
Goals from Godwin Aguda and Chisom Egbuchulam gave the leaders the three points while Joseph Osadiaye got the consolation for the league champions.
Rangers now have 17 points from nine matches while Enyimba are 18th with six points from five matches. Sunshine before Sunday’s match, garnered three points from three draws and three losses. However, their fortune seemed to have changed as they now sit 17th in the log with six points after seven matches, courtesy of the win, from their 20th position.
According to the League Management Company, Rangers started the brighter of the two sides as they sought the early goal. Ifeanyi Egwim took the first shot on goal in the fourth minute but his shot was off target.
Enyimba took the lead in the 14th minute when Osadiaye curled the ball past goalkeeper Nana Bonsu in the Rangers’ goal. Rangers thereafter continued their search for the equaliser which they got in the 21st minute through Aguda from an assist by Bobby Clement. Rangers went ahead in the 37th minute when Egbuchulam scored from another Clement assist.
In Akure, Dele Olorundare scored Sunshine’s first goal in the sixth minute while Tope Orelope equalised in the 63rd minute before Afolabi Okiki grabbed the winner in the 90th minute.
In other results, A lone goal from Chisom Chikatara gave Abia United victory over Niger Tornadoes in Umuahia, Ikorodu United lost 3-2 at home to Rivers United, Heartland beat Giwa 2-0 in Owerri while Plateau United and MFM played a 1-1 draw in Jos.
Wikki Tourists and Akwa United played goalless, a barren draw was also played by Warri Wolves and Lobi Stars in Warri while Kano Pillars beat IfeanyiUbah 2-0 in Kano and El-Kanemi Warriors beat Nasarawa United 3-0.