NPFL: Rangers Stay Top Despite Loss To Katsina United
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) leaders Rangers International had their unbeaten streak snapped as Katsina United claimed a 4-3 victory in a thrilling encounter on Sunday, at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, Katsina State.
Katsina United’s Azeez Falolu opened the scoring for the home side just four minutes into the match. The lead lasted only six minutes as Saviour Isaac drew Rangers level.
In the 16th minute, Katsina United had its lead restored through Michael Ibe but the table-toppers found their way back almost immediately when Godwin Obaje fired in a shot past Pius Ibrahim on 18 minutes.
Right at the break, Katsina United got their noses in front for the third time in the contest through Ibe, who got his second goal of the day.
At the restart, Rangers head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu opted to change the shape of his playing personnel by sending Chinemerem Ugwueze for Nasiru Auwalu but it backfired as Andrew Idoko extended Katsina United’s lead by two five minutes after the restart.
At 4-2, Ilechukwu made more changes and one of the substitute’s Joel Odoh headed in Kazeem Ogunleye’s corner to reduce Katsina United’s lead to one and set up a nervy final nine minutes. However, the match finished 4-3 in favour of Katsina.
FT Katsina Utd 4-3 Rangers #KATRAN #NPFL24
⚽️ Azeez Falolu 4’, Michael Ibe 16’, 45’, Andrew Idoko 50’ – Saviour Isaac 10’, Godwin Obaje 18’, Joel Odoh 81’
— NPFL (@NigeriaPFL) April 7, 2024
After a run of 10 matches without defeat, Rangers International fell to sixth place Katsina United in a thriller, at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
Despite the loss, Rangers stay top of the table with a superior goals difference ahead of second-placed Lobi Stars.
Highlights of a matchday 29 encounter against Katsina United FC.#KATRAN #NPFL24 #RangersIntl#HistoryTogether #NeverSayDie pic.twitter.com/y3Q5kpmb8u
— Rangers International FC (@Rangers_Intl) April 8, 2024
— Rangers International FC (@Rangers_Intl) April 8, 2024
Lobi Stars needed just a solitary goal to see off champions Enyimba at the Lafia City Stadium in a game of title contenders. Alao Danbani scored the winner in the 58th minute.
At the other end of the table, bottom-placed side Gombe United suffered a 5-0 defeat at Niger Tornadoes. Clinton Jephta scored twice in the 6th and 86th minutes while Chidebere Ernest, Mohammed Hussaini and Bashir Usman got among the goals in the thrashing.
Sunday’s NPFL results
Heartland Owerri 3-1 Sporting Lagos
Katsina United 3-3 Rangers International
Kwara United 1-1 Bendel Insurance
Lobi Stars 1-0 Enyimba FC
Niger Tornadoes 5-0 Gombe United
Sunshine Stars 1-1 Bayelsa United.
It’s tight & not lonely at the top#NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/hR4yoM81qW
— NPFL (@NigeriaPFL) April 7, 2024
NPFL/Chidi Nwoke.
