Remo Stars, Rivers Utd maintain unbeaten run after 1-1 draw in Ikenne

• …As Wikki Tourists outclass Nasarawa United 2-0

There was nothing to separate Remo Stars and Rivers United as the two clubs maintained their unbeaten run in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season after settling for a 1-1 draw in their MatchD9 fixture played yesterday in Ikenne.

The top of the table clash lived up to expectations as both sides displayed football artistry to justify their status as the only unbeaten teams going into the week 9 contest.

Both goals came in the first half but it was the hosts who drew the first blood when Andy Okpe tapped in a dangerous cross from Ifegwa Ojukwu in the 10th minute before inform Chijioke Akueneto also tapped into an empty net in the 43rd minute after a howler from goalkeeper Kayode Bankole to give Rivers United the much-needed equaliser.

On resumption, Remo Stars fought to pick the maximum points but Rivers United remained resolute to earn a crucial point on the road to remain on top of the table on superior goal difference as both teams have 19 points from the same number of matches.

There were victories for defending champions Akwa United and 3SC of Ibadan who recorded slim victories on the road to improve on their fortunes.

In Abuja, youngster Keo Ezekiel scored his first NPFL goal for Akwa United in the 66th minute of the second half to hand his side a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes just as Damilare Olatuji’s goal in the 5th minute ensured 3SC defeated MFM 1-0 in Lagos.

Meanwhile, it was a bad day in the office for Nasarawa United who were beaten 2-0 by Wikki Tourists after their former players Abubakar Aliyu and Anas Yusuf scored a goal each in the 33rd and 69th minute to send the ‘solid miners’ home empty handed.

Elsewhere, former NPFL hotshot, Junior Lokosa announced his return to Nigeria when he sent Kwara United on the path of victory over Gombe United with his strike in the 36th minute before Alao Danbani wrapped up the win for the ‘ Afonja Warriors’ in the 38th minute.

While the match in Benin City between Dakkada FC and Rangers ended in a barren draw, Albert Hilary scored a brilliant goal in the 67th minute for Plateau United to win 1-0 against Abia Warriors in Jos.