Rivers United secure win against Akwa United to stay top of NPFL table
Rivers United Football Club, on Sunday defeated visiting Akwa United 2-1 to stay top of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table on Matchday 5.
The Port-Harcourt based side now has 13 points from five games.
Stephen Manyo opened scoring on the day for the home team in the 31st minute while Friday Apollos equalized 14 minutes later.
Ndifreke Effiong scored the winning goal for the home side five minutes to the end of regulation time.
Akwa United on the other hand, yet to secure a win this season after five minutes, have picked up just two points and are 19th on the league table.
In the other matches played, Remo Stars of Akure lost by a lone goal to hosts Kwara United and have to move one place downward to second position, compared to their top place last week.
The Akure boys has 12 points in five games ins second place while Kwara United are 13th on the table with 13 points.
Enugu Rangers also picked a home win against South Eastern rivals Abia Warriors, beating them 1-0 and are third on the log while Abia are 14th place with five points.
In Owerri, Heartland FC scored the only two goals of the match to get maximum points against visiting Niger Tornadoes.
The win pulled the Owerri team away from the relegation waters as they now rest on 16th place with four points in five games.
Meanwhile, Tornadoes are sixth on the table with 8 points, also in five games.
Kano Pillars also grabbed a home win on Sunday, beating Sunshine Stars of Akure 2-0 to get seven points in five games and currently on eight positions.
Sunshine Stars, however are ninth on the table with same points and matches played alongside Kano Pillars.
In Lafia, the game between Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United ended in a goalless draw as Nasarawa sits on 11th place with six points in five games while Bayelsa United are 18th on the table.
The Yenagoa based club has three points in five games.
Meanwhile the game between Enyimba FC of Aba was said to have been abandoned though Enyimba was leading in spite 3-0 at the time.
The Newsmen reports that a total of eight matches were played across various stadia on Sunday and of that number, six of them were home wins while one was a draw and the other abandoned.
Match Results
Enugu Rangers 1-0Abia Warriors
Heartland Owerri 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kano Pillars 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Kwara United 1-0 Remo Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Ikorodu United
Rivers United FC 2-1 Akwa United
Nasarawa United 0-0 Bayelsa United
Enyimba 3-0 Katsina United— Abandoned
