NPFL: Rangers Woes Continue, As Dolphin Grab First Win Of Season

 Dolphins of Port Harcourt ended  their winless start to the season when they narrowly grabbed a 1-0 win over Enugu Rangers in midweek Nigeria Premier League tie. And that got coach Kelechi Emeteole into more troubles with fans of the coal- city, leaving his future in doubt. Both teams have struggled in recent times with Dolphins yet to win a game this term while Rangers have lost their last two games by 1-0 margins including Sunday's home loss to Giwa FC. Meanwhile Heartland succumbed to their first defeat of the season, a 1-0 loss to neighbours Abia Warriors at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Wednesday evening. Ifeanyi Onyeali's strike two minutes from time made all the difference in the second Oriental Derby of the League season. The much anticipated game drew an impressive crowd of over 3,000 Heartland fans buoyed by their side's impressive run.
In other results Giwa FC continued their fine run of form with an emphatic 4-0 dismantling of struggling Akwa United but it was Abia Warriors that came off the superior side in the Oriental Derby that saw them deal a crushing blow to Heartland’s quick-off-the-block title chase.

Enyimba International may have rediscovered their groove as last season’s top scorer, Mfon Udoh scored on the 56th minute to avenge their last season’s defeat in this same fixture. Enyimba’s campaign last season also started on a stuttering note until about Match Day 5 when they gradually clawed their way to mid table.

In Lafia, Nasarawa United made sure Kano Pillars joined the band of sides that has deficits as a brace of goals from Esosa Igbinoba made the consolatory strike by Rabiu Ali (66’) of no consequence to the contest for the three points.

Gabros made it three wins from as many games at their Beverly Hills Hotel Stadium in Nnewi and in the process disrobed Lobi Stars of their draw specialist toga. Lobi had drawn all four previous games this season and held off all the forays of the Gabros attack until four minutes from full time when Elu Wilson executed a long range hit that sailed past the hands of Lobi’s goalkeeper, Akpor Ekoi into the net. Barely three minutes after, Okereke Maduabuchi made victory sure, rounding off the back line to square for an unmarked Chukwudi Stephen to do a simple tap-in.

In Port Harcourt, Ifeanyi Egwim converted from the penalty spot for Dolphins to claim their first win and three points of the season. Rangers were their victim in a match that provided very little talking point as both sides chose a rather cautious approach. Victor Yakubu also converted from the penalty spot to shoot Wikki Tourists to the top of the log on ten points. Late rally from players of Warri Wolves to split the points failed.

Shooting Stars also joined the band of first time winners hitting Kwara United 2-0 to continue the Afonja Warriors’ misery that began in Ilorin in the defeat to Heartland while El-Kanemi Warriors also scrapped a 1-0 defeat against Sunshine Stars at the adopted Kano Pillars Stadium in Sabon Gari.