NPFL: More relegation worries for Akwa United and Sunshine Stars

Akwa United and Sunshine Stars saw their survival hopes dealt a big blow on match day 25 of the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League season, www.aclsports.com reports.

Akwa United were held to a 1-1 draw by Rivers United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Similarly, Kano Pillars and Sunshine Stars played out a 1-1 draw at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. Both sides remained in the drop zone after failing to pick wins at home.

The Promise Keepers came into the encounter needing all three points after just a win in their past seven league games, but it was Finidi George’s men who went in front early on through former Akwa United man Friday Ubong whose low free-kick went past Darlintin Ovunda. Just after the break, Abson Mare headed home the equalizer. Despite Abba Suleiman’s dismissal, Kennedy Boboye’s men could not find the winner.

In Ikenne, Sunshine Stars, who started the day in the bottom four, failed to win as Sai Masu Gida held them to a 1-1 draw. Skipper Chidozie Iwundu handed the home side the lead from a ferocious freekick just after the break, but the visitors fought back with substitute Eshimutu Gomino scoring 15 minutes from time.

In other results, Anthony Ijoma scored the game’s only to help Abia Warriors beat defending champions Rangers in the Oriental Derby in Umuahia. It finished goalless between Elkanemi Warriors and Bendel Insurance in Maiduguri. In Minna, Niger Tornadoes also defeated Heartland 2-1 to return to winning ways. Heartland got their noses in front through Terdoo Shimagande before a pair of second-half goals from Ismail Sarki turned the game on its head for the hosts.

Season’s surprise packages Ikorodu City came from a goal down to beat Plateau United in Lagos. Albert Hilary handed the visitors the lead in the first half before late goals from Olatunji Malik and Tosin Oyedokun secured a fourth successive home win for the Oga Boys.

Title-chasing Shooting Stars blinked first as Lobi Stars held them to a 2-2 draw in Ibadan. Former Remo Stars striker Ossy Martins, who was later sent off in the game, scored a brace for the visitors, while Joshua Akpan and Sodiq Ibrahim scored for the Oluyole Warriors. It also finished 2-2 in Yenagoa between Bayelsa United and Nasarawa United in Salisu Yusuf‘s first game in charge.

To complete the match day, league leaders Remo Stars – who could go 10 points clear – will host Kwara United, while Enyimba will be guests of Katsina United in Katsina.

Image credit: Sunshine Stars Updates