By Amaechi Agbo
Hadi Mohammed’s 28th minute strike against Dakkada FC handed Enugu Rangers their first win in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.
The Flying Antelopes who have been winless in their past four matches, relied on the only goal scored before the half hour mark to record their first victory in the league in their adopted home ground, Awka City Stadium in Anambra State on Wednesday.
Rangers had earlier lost their first two matches, drew their last two before wining the matchday 5 encounter against Dakkada.
In other results, Nasarawa United’s search for their first victory in the league seems not to end yet as the Solid Miners lost their home match against visiting Plateau United in a North-Central derby.
The Coach Bala Nikyu led side recorded their 5th consecutive loss in the league despite playing three home matches thus far.
They lost all their four matches at the Jos Township Stadium, their first adopted home ground before they relocated to Kaduna where they also lost against Plateau United on Wednesday.
The visitors took the lead on the 20th minute through Mustapha Ibrahim but the hosts retaliated in the 38th minute through King Osanga’s goal.
Nasarawa United’s dream to at least pick a point from the encounter was dashed after Ifeanyi Emmanuel made it 2-1 for the guests in the 69th minute.
The defeat condemned Nasarawa United to the bottom of Group A with zero point from five matches.
In the other hand, newcomers, Bendel Insurance maintained their hundred per cent league performance with a hard-fought 1-0 away win against El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri.
It is five wins out of five matches for the Benin Arsenal who became the 3rd side to win their first five matches in the NPFL after Kaduna United in 2005 and Heartland FC in 2015.
In other result, Kwara United defeated Akwa United 2-1 at home to record their first win in the league.
The technical crew of the team were issued a three-match ultimatum by the management to turn around the fortunes of the club and it does appear the direvtive is yielding the expected result.
Full Results of matchday 5
Nassarawa United 1-2 Plateau United
Remo Stars 1-0 Enyimba FC
Kwara United 2-1 Akwa United
El-Kanemi Warriors 0-1 Insurance
Gombe United 2-1 Shooting Stars
Abia Warriors 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Bayelse United 1-1 Doma United
Rivers United 2-0 Wikki Tourists
Ranger Int’l 1-0 Dakkada FC
Lobi Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars
