By Micheal Odetunde
There was excitement across the various centres on Wednesday as teams battled for maximum points in the Matchday Five fixtures of the Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Reigning champions Rangers International secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Ranchers Bees, with Chidozie Iwundu scoring in the 80th minute to seal all three points for the Flying Antelopes.
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars returned to winning ways with a convincing 2-0 victory over Katsina United.
Olarewaju Ridwan opened the scoring for the Oluyole Warriors in the 20th minute, while Qamar Adegoke doubled the advantage in the 72nd minute.
At the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, Doma United fought back from two goals down to hold Plateau United to a 2-2 draw.
Michael Adegbite scored twice for Doma United, but Gideon Monday and Paul Samson struck in the 58th and 79th minutes respectively to earn Plateau United a share of the points.
In Lagos, Inter Lagos and Kano Pillars played out a 1-1 draw.
Ubong Friday gave Kano Pillars the lead in the 33rd minute before Bashir Abdulsalam restored parity for the newcomers in the 75th minute.
At the Rashidi Yekini Mainbowl of the George Innih Stadium in Ilorin, Kwara United edged Nasarawa United 2-1.
Sanni Muhammed put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute before Jofrank Istifanus levelled the scores for the Solid Miners in the 29th minutes.
Substitute Abdulsalam Abdulsalam then scored the winning goal to hand Kwara United all three points.
Barau FC also recorded a 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Joseph Atule opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Ibrahim Ayoola added the second in the 61st minute to complete the victory.
In Aba, Sporting Lagos compounded Enyimba International’s difficult start to the campaign with a 3-2 victory.
Stanley Dimgba opened the scoring for Enyimba in the 44th minute before Abdullahi equalised for Sporting Lagos on the 51st minutes.
Tobi Iyanda restored Enyimba’s advantage in the 54th minute, but Sporting Lagos responded strongly, scoring twice within four minutes through Haruna Hadi and Daniel Aboh in the 65th and 69th minutes respectively to complete the comeback.
At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance defeated Ikorodu City 2-1.
Chinedu Nwosu put Ikorodu City ahead from the penalty spot in the 49th minute before Aderemi Adeoye levelled for the Benin Arsenals in the 79th minute.
Alex Oweilayefa then struck in the 84th minute to complete Insurance’s comeback and secure maximum points.
Action in the Euromatch NPFL will continue on Saturday and Sunday, with teams set to battle across various centres across the country.
