NPFL: Rangers spank Rivers United 1-0, Kano Pillars 3-0 Delta Force + other results

Rangers International FC of Enugu, on Monday, spanked visiting Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt 1- 0 to wrap up their unbeaten home record in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 21.
Chidera Eze came to the rescue of the Enugu-based side in the 85th minute from Michael Uchebo’s assist in the tension-soaked encounter played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Speaking in a post-match interview with journalists, Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote said that Rangers had no option than to finish the league professionally.
Ogunbote said, “We lost to them in their home so we are condemned to beat them and Rangers is a professional club.”
He expressed joy over the victory, saying that the players were made to have two things in mind.
“The players knew that we do not need to lose or even draw but to win and it’s better we leave it late, when they cannot fight back,” he said.
Ogunbote further said that their attention was still focussed on the Super Six in order to be able to pick a ticket to the continental.
He thanked the fans and the media for their objective and constructive criticism which, he said, spurred him up to the challenge.
“It is the criticism from the supporters and the media that made us to seat up, especially when it seemed that we were backsliding.
“This is a victory for all of us, especially the supporters, who always stood solidly behind us and I wish they will be there for us at the Super Six,” Ogunbote said.
Also, Rangers captain, Godwin Aguda, expressed joy over the victory, saying that he had a sleepless night when they lost 3-0 to Rivers United in the first leg.
“I am happy that we took our own pound of flesh from them and now, all attention shifts to super six.
“We must finish the good job we started in the super six because Rangers deserve continental competitions next year.
“Our joy will only be complete when we finish well at the super six and probably lift the trophy,” Aguda said.
He said that the players had made up their mind to get back to the continent to finalise their unfinished business.
Kano Pillars Football Club also defeated visiting Delta Force FC of Asaba 3-0.
Team captain Rabiu Ali opened scores from the penalty kick spot in the 19th minute of the Match Day 21 fixture which was played at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
The two teams put up more spirited efforts in the second half, but Pillars’  Auwalu Malam and Yusuf Maigoro scored in the 47th and 57th minutes respectively to extend the host’s lead.
Although the goals demoralised the visitors, efforts by Delta Force to equalise proved abortive.
‎Speaking after the match, coach Ibrahim Musa of Pillars said the team was now on course to gain a ticket to play on the continent next season.
He also commended his players ‎for their efforts and fighting spirit.
Auwalu Malam was voted Man of the Match.
Relegation-threatened Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin defeated visiting Remo Stars FC of Sagan 2-1 in a lacklustre game.
The Match was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex in Ilorin.
Both teams played as if nothing was at stake, with the tempo of the game very low in the early stages of the encounter, while the visitors enjoyed more possession.
Kwara United players and officials had earlier in the day protested at the state’s Ministry of Finance to press home a demand for their unpaid salaries and other entitlements.
Kwara United begun the game slowly and allowed Remo Stars to dominate possession from the flanks with Victor Mbaoma tormenting the hosts defence occasionally.
The hosts returned for the second stanza of the match now much better than the visitors with the introduction of Abdulrasaq Alamoyo and Abubakar Chindo to add bite upfront.
Abdullateef Ishola in goal for Kwara United made a big save in the 58th minute from an Mbaoma’s header, but conceded a corner kick in the process.
Mbaoma again timed himself in the 59th minute to connect with Omotayo Adebogun’s corner kick, but he blasted over the bar in the box.
Onwuasonaya Uche broke the deadlock in the 74th minute when his deflected curling effort went straight into the visitors’ net.
The hosts seemed to have found their rhythm as they pressed for more goals and were rewarded once more through a long range effort in the 79th minute of play by Alamoyo.
The young attacker well measured his effort, after noticing Remo Stars’ goalkeeper Emmanuel Fabiyi was off his line, lobbing the ball above him to make it 2-0.
Map soma reduced the tally in the extra time when he timed Adebogun’s low cross and tapped in from close range to make it 2-1.
Kwara United’s Chief Coach, Suleiman Ashifat, said the team would continue to fight till the end because there was plenty to play for on the last day of the season.
His Remo Stars’ counterpart, Precious Ogunmode, said they would also continue to fight till the end even though they were already relegated.
Meanwhile, Abubakar Lawal’s late strike was enough to earn Nasarawa United Football Club a 2-2 draw and rescue them from a home defeat against Go Round Football Club on Monday.
In the match, the watching massive crowd at the Lafia Township Stadium was well thrilled though.
In spite of drawing goalless against Kano Pillars the last time at home, Nasarawa United again failed to rise to expectations.
They failed to inspire a convincing performance that would have secured them a win, thereby leaving in frustration the home fans.
The home side began sluggishly and were punished by Joshua Useni who pounced on a loose ball in the hosts’ penalty area to score and put the away side ahead.
After the half time break, Nasarawa United mounted pressure on the away side in a bid to equalise and duly got the equaliser in the 66th minute through Ibrahim Sanusi.
He received a pass from Lawal at the edge of the penalty area to then place the ball at the right hand corner of the Go Round FC net.
The home side pushed aggressively for a winner, but were punished by Go Round FC who made good use of a counter attack and scored through Nwogbaga Chiebonan in the 77th minute to lead again.
All efforts to draw level were thwarted by a resolute defence until the 95th minute when Lawal capitalised on a loose ball in the penalty area to blast home.
Speaking to newsmen after the match, Willie Udube, Technical Adviser of Go Round FC, said his boys played with fear throughout the encounter because the environment was hostile towards them.
“They were playing with fear. When you come to an environment without proper security, that is what happens.
“They are human beings. We are not supposed to be at this stage now. South African league was like this before but they had a rethink.
“We have dropped points at home and nothing happened. Nobody touched the referee or intimidated the opposition. That is the mentality we want everyone to have.
“We drew three matches and lost one. Nothing happened. So why not we replicate that mentality in other venues so that people will be happy to watch matches.
“But I thank God we got a good result here because I believe this is a push for the team to come out of the relegation zone.
“We will go back and adopt a new strategy that will get us better results,” Udube said.
The home team’s performance prompted some angry fans to demand the resignation of Isaac Danladi as Nasarawa United FC Chairman.