The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL 2024/2025 season ran it’s Matchday 13 course over the weekend with 18 teams in action, as a total of 15 goals were scored in nine centers.
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We presents the highlights of the Matchday 13 in this week’s edition of the NPFL five things to know , which incidentally all represented in Five Rs.
Rivers Returns
After two back to back defeats Rivers United bounced back to winning ways courtesy of 1-0 over Abia Warriors over the weekend.
Ndifreke Effiong converted from the penalty spots in the 58th minute to give Rivers their first victory since Matchday nine and it’s enough to return them to the top of the log with 25 points as nearest rivals, Remo Stars failed to shine against Katsina United, while Enyimba were given bye due to CAF Confederations Cup engagement against Al Masry of Egypt as Enyimba kick off group stage campaign on Wednesday, 27 October 2024.
Remo Stars Fell
Remo Stars travelled to Katsina as league leaders but 2-0 loss to Katsina United at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium on Matchday 13, ensured they fell off the top as Azeez Falodu and Dawi Boslam goals made the difference .
Rabiu Rocket
Ageless Rabiu Ali was the star of the day as Kano Pillars fought back from 2-0 to pull a draw 2-2 against Lobi Stars of Markudi on Saturday.
Lobi Stars FC scored two first half goals from the boots of Ahmadu Liman in the 7th minute while Ossy Martins scored his 7th of the season to double the Stars’ lead.
Kano Pillars needed someone to pick them up and no other person than the legendary Rabiu Ali who started their revival in the 75th minute when he fired home from forty yard.
Three minutes later, it was Ahmed Musa’s turn to turn this up. The Kano Pillars, magic man ran past defenders up to the goals and found Mustapha Umar who finished from close range to restore parity to pick a valuable away point for Mai Su Gida.
Rangers Stopped Heartland
Defending Champions, Rangers International continues their good form on the road, denying Heartland FC from picking another three points at home to highlight recent good runs of form.
It was a face off between a former assistant coach of the Super Eagles and present, as Emmanuel Amuneke face off Fidelis Ilechukwu in a gruelling oriental derby.
The match ended barren and Heartland failure to defeat Rangers since July 2021 at home continues in their last five meetings in the NPFL.
Relegation United
At least three teams bearing UNITED are in the relegation waters after the conclusion of the Matchday 13 over the weekend.
Nasarawa United stayed rock bottom in the relegation zone after losing again, Plateau United brushed them aside 2-0 to make it nine defeats of the bounce.
Bayelsa United 1-0 to Shootings Stars means they also returned to the relegation zone, as it left them with just 14 points in 13 matches.
Akwa United are also got pip 1-0, against El Kanemi FC to keep them in the 19th position while Bendel Insurance swims out of the relegation waters as Lobi Stars replaced them in the drop zone.
Best Of The Rest
•Bendel Insurance started new life after the exit of Monday Odigie, as the coach of the team.
The Benin Arsenal destroyed Kwara United with a convincing 3-1 and also got off the relegation zone.
•The Ikorodu City FC, coach Nurudeen Aweroro magic continues , the coach picked another valuable point on the road against Niger Tornadoes.
•Anas Yusuf, the leading goal scorer in the league fired blank once again for Nasarawa United as Plateau United defeated Nasarawa 2-0.
With two hat tricks under his boot already, Anas has failed to add his nine goals this season as the attacker is still searching for this first league goal in 410 minutes.
The Match Day 13 Results At A Glance
Bendel 3-1 Kwara United
Lobi Stars 2-2 Kano Pillars
Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Ikorodu City FC
Elkanemi 1-0 Akwa United
Heartland 0-0 Rangers
Plateau United 2-0 Nasarawa FC
Rivers United 1-0 Abia Warriors FC
Katsina United 2-0 Remo Stars FC
3SC 1-0 Bayelsa United
