Rangers International maintained their lead in the Nigeria Premier Football League after a narrow 1-0 victory over Kwara United, while Bendel Insurance kept the pressure on with a comeback win over Niger Tornadoes.
The Flying Antelopes secured all three points at the Awka Township Stadium on Sunday, thanks to Victor Chimezie’s 40th-minute strike.
The victory took Rangers to 24 points from 11 matches, opening a three-point gap over second-placed Bendel Insurance, who have played one game more.
Bendel Insurance moved to 21 points after recovering from a goal down to defeat Niger Tornadoes 2-1 at home.
Aliyu Mohammed gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot in the 36th minute, but Jonathan Mairiga equalised in the eighth minute of first-half added time.
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John Taiwo then completed the comeback with a 90th-minute winner for the Benin Arsenal.
Barau FC also strengthened their position in the top half of the table with a 1-0 victory over Shooting Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
An own goal by Olakunle Akala in the ninth minute proved decisive, taking Barau to 19 points from 12 matches. They are level on points with Kano Pillars, who have a superior goal difference.
Ranchers Bees secured a valuable 1-0 home win over Enyimba at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna.
Chiedozie Jude Okorie scored the only goal in the 42nd minute, leaving Ranchers Bees with 12 points from 11 matches, while Enyimba remain on 11 points after 12 outings.
Abia Warriors and Doma United shared four goals in a 2-2 draw at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba.
Tijani Azeez put Doma United ahead in the fifth minute before Emeka Obioma equalised for the hosts in the 37th minute.
Samuel Akpan restored Doma United’s lead in the 69th minute, but Obioma struck again in the 79th minute to earn Abia Warriors a point.
The draw left Doma United with 16 points from 11 matches, while Abia Warriors have 11 points from 12 games.
Warri Wolves and Katsina United also settled for a 1-1 draw.
Luis Dadong gave Katsina United the lead in the 28th minute, but Sabastine Uche levelled for Warri Wolves in the 72nd minute.
Katsina United moved to 17 points from 12 matches, while Warri Wolves remained on 11 points following their three-point deduction.
In Friday’s encounter at the Enyimba Stadium, Kun Khalifat and Kano Pillars played out a 1-1 draw.
Substitute Sikiru Alimi put Pillars ahead in the 76th minute before Ebuka Okoro converted a 90th-minute penalty to rescue a point for the hosts.
Kano Pillars have 19 points from 12 matches, while Kun Khalifat are on 13 points after their three-point deduction.
Nasarawa United occupy third position with 20 points, followed by Barau FC and Kano Pillars, who have 19 points each. Rivers United are sixth with 18 points from 11 matches, while Katsina United are seventh with 17 points.
At the bottom of the table, Inter Lagos have three points from 11 matches after a deduction of three points and three goals for an infraction. Warri Wolves have also suffered a three-point and three-goal deduction.
The Matchday 12 fixtures continue on Monday, with Ikorodu City hosting Inter Lagos in a Lagos derby at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
The scheduled meeting between Sporting Lagos and Rivers United has been postponed, leaving the Port Harcourt side with a game in hand.
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