NPFL: Rangers earn away draw with Sunshine Stars in Akure as Kano Pillars beat Go Round FC 2-0 to go top

Rangers International Football Club of Enugu on Sunday in Akure drew 1-1 with hosts Sunshine Stars FC in a Match Day 11 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Ifeanyi George scored for Rangers in the 28th minute after utilising Ajani Ibrahim’s low drive in the match played at the Ondo State Sports Complex.
Defender Nojeem Raji drew Sunshine Stars level in the 42nd minute after heading home from Sunday Emmanuel’s cross into the penalty area.
All efforts by the home team to score another goal and secure a win in the second half proved abortive as the visitors defended well to keep the scoreline at one-all.
Rangers, head coach Gbenga Ogunbote, while speaking after the match, said the home team was a good side.
“But our team is still in the making and I believe we are still going places this season.
“However, Sunshine Stars are just like any other team we have played. We have been on the road for the last two matches, and it will not be good if we cannot pick at least a point on the road,” he said.
Raji, on his part, rued his team’s missed scoring chances, lamenting that luck was not on their side.
“But we will make amends when we travel to Omoku to take on Go Round FC on Match Day 12,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, Kano Pillars Football Club on Sunday beat visiting Go Round FC of Port Harcourt 2-0 in a 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
In the Match Day 11 fixture, Kano Pillars failed to take the lead in the first half as Junior Lokosa missed a penalty kicks.
However, Ibrahim Alhassan opened the scoring in the 58th minute through a penalty kick, after a Go Round FC defender handled the ball in the penalty area.
Lokosa doubled the lead in the 85th minute, after latching on to a through ball from Ibrahim Mustafa, to increase his season’s tally to 10 goals from 11 matches.
Kano Pillars are now joint top of the league’s table with 20 points from 11 matches and a +8 goals difference.
They are ahead of Lobi Stars of Makurdi who are also with 20 points but a +4 goals difference.
Speaking after the game, Kano Pillars’ coach Ibrahim Musa said his team has now gathered momentum towards making a great impact in the league this season.
“My dream now is to win a ticket to play on the continent next years,’’ he said.
On his part, Ngozi Elechi, the Go Round FC coach, also commended his players in spite of losing the game.
“I am also ‎satisfied with the officiating in spite of the two penalty kicks awarded to the home side,’’ he added.