NPFL week 27: Rangers equal unbeaten run, go top

NPFL week 27: Rangers equal unbeaten run, go top
Credit @1topham X

With 11 games to the end of the NPFL 2023/24 season, the excitement has hit a fever pitch, with results of week 27 upsetting the odds after some curious results.

The battle for the top four has been between Lobi Stars, Enugu Rangers, Plateau United and Enyimba. However, the arrangement at the top of the NPFL witnessed a reshuffle following disappointing results from three teams in the top four of the league.

There was a change of guard at the top, with Lobi Stars relinquishing their hold of the number one spot, while Enyimba and Plateau United faltered in their games.

The winner of the NPFL 2023/24 season remains unclear as the battle has become intense. The signs suggest that it will go down to the wire.

Rangers go top of the NPFL in unbeaten run

Enugu Rangers tops the NPFL table
Credit: @rangersint Twitter

Enugu Rangers travelled to Aba for a date with Heartland FC full of confidence and secured a 1-2 win over their hosts to go top of the NPFL table.

The Flying Antelopes needed results to go their way in other centres to return to the top of the NPFL, and Bayelsa United did them a massive favour.

They raced to a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute through Ifeanyi Onyebuchi. Kalu Nweke doubled their advantage in the second half before the relegation-threatened Naze Millionaires caused them a scare with a goal in added time.

Enugu Rangers, thus, equals the record this season of the longest unbeaten run held by Doma United. The record is more impressive with seven wins, two draws, including three away wins.

Enugu Rangers had help from Lobi Stars to reclaim the top spot after several weeks out. Bayelsa United did the Flying Antelopes a massive favour as they came from behind to steal a point in Makurdi.

Sunday Chukwu gave Lobi Stars the lead in the second half before Kehinde Malik scored the equalizer 13 minutes from time. Lobi Stars thus dropped to the second spot.

The other teams in the top four also faltered. They include the Peoples Elephant, who lost to the Afonja Warriors.

The game in Ilorin saw Kwara United, who had seen their lead pegged back by Ikenna Cooper in the 38th minute, secure all three points after Emmanuel Ogbole scored the winner in the 48th minute.

The three points were massive as they helped Kwara United climb out of the relegation zone, with Bayelsa United taking their place.

Akwa United is another team that recorded a massive result in the NPFL week 27 fixtures. The Promise Keepers stunned Plateau United in Jos to stall their challenge for the league title.

A 1-2 win for Akwa United helped them climb out of the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, in the weekend's final game, Remo Stars secured a 2-0 win over Bendel Insurance via a goal apiece by Adedayo Olamilekan and Haruna Hadi to usurp Enyimba in third place. The Sky Blues have a game in hand and could go second if they win.

Doma still winless as Pillars back to winning ways

npfl 2023/24 prediction doma united
Credit @domaunitedfc Twitter

On Saturday, Kano Pillars returned to winning ways when they recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sporting Lagos.

Things seemed to be going well for the Lagos side until Umar Shehu struck in the 48th minute. The result helped Sai Masu Gida into the sixth spot and with a chance to make it into the top four.

Doma United also broke their losing streak with a 1-1 draw in the Savannah derby. The Savannah Tigers came from behind to secure a share of the spoils with relegation-threatened Gombe United.

Before the derby, Doma United had lost three games without a win in their last nine games. It is a shameful record that includes seven losses and two draws.

Katsina United also continued their form of not losing at home. However, they had to fight hard to come from behind and secure a 2-1 win over Abia Warriors. They have the same points (41) as Kano Pillars but are in seventh place.

NPFL Week 27 Results

NPFL Week 27 Results
Remo Stars 2-0 Bendel Insurance
Heartland Owerri 1-2 Enugu Rangers
Katsina United 2-1 Abia Warriors
Kwara United 2-1 Enyimba
Lobi Stars 1-1 Bayelsa United
Plateau United 1-2 Akwa United
Kano Pillars 1-0 Sporting Lagos
Doma United 1-1 Gombe United
Remo Stars 2-0 Bendel Insurance

This article was most recently revised and updated 6 months ago

Chooka Izuegbuna
Chooka Izuegbuna is a Sports Journalist with 20 years of experience in print, TV and Radio. He has worked with some of the top media houses in Nigeria, including NTA Network, Channels TV, TVC, Silverbird TV and MITV. Chooka broke his sports reporting teeth with The Game Football Weekly in 2003 as a cartoonist and reporter. Chooka has a passion for football and has been a fan of Enugu Rangers (over 30 years) and Real Madrid (Since 1996).
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