:Rivers United consolidated their position at the summit of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) standings following a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Remo Stars in a keenly contested Matchday 21 fixture.
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Aniekeme Okon scored the decisive goal in the 81st minute at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, as the Port Harcourt side capitalised on their numerical advantage after Remo Stars were reduced to 10 men.
Defender Chigozie Chilekwu was sent off in the 50th minute, leaving the visitors stretched for much of the second half.
The victory keeps Rivers United top of the table with 41 points from 21 matches, maintaining a four-point cushion over Abia Warriors.
Abia Warriors maintained the title cage by picking maximum points on the road with a 1-0 victory over Kano Pillars to keep Rivers United in touching distance.
Goalless Draw in Aba
At the Enyimba International Stadium, nine-time champions Enyimba were held to a 0–0 draw by Barau FC in a cagey encounter that produced few clear-cut chances.
The result leaves Enyimba 11th on 27 points, while Barau sit 14th with 25 points.
Plateau United Edge Wikki
Plateau United claimed a vital 1–0 win over Wikki Tourists in Jos, with Temitope Vincent netting the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute.
The result lifted Plateau United to 18th on 23 points, while Wikki remain 17th, also on 23 points.
Early Strike Seals Win for Ikorodu City
Ikorodu City continued their impressive campaign with a narrow 1–0 away win against Kwara United. Ezekiel Samuel struck in the 5th minute, a goal that proved decisive as Ikorodu City stayed third on the table with 35 points, level with Nasarawa United but ahead on goal difference.
Bayelsa United Dominate Shooting Stars
Bayelsa United recorded a convincing 2–0 victory over Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).
Peter Ebimobowei opened the scoring in the 24th minute before Chinedu Emmanuel sealed the win deep into stoppage time (90+2’).
Bayelsa United moved up to 13th with 26 points, while 3SC remain sixth on 32 points.
Nasarawa United Hold Off Tornadoes
Nasarawa United edged Niger Tornadoes 2–1 in Lafia.
Anas Yusuf converted an early penalty in the 13th minute before Segun Adekunle doubled the lead nine minutes later. Kufre Ebong pulled one back late on for Tornadoes in the 84th minute, but it was not enough to prevent
Nasarawa from climbing to fourth with 35 points.
Bendel Insurance Complete Stunning Comeback
Bendel Insurance produced one of the performances of the round, coming from behind to defeat El-Kanemi Warriors 3–2 in Benin.
Kayode drew Insurance level just before halftime (45’), before Henry Oyian’s header in the 53rd minute put the hosts ahead. Kayode then completed his brace in the 63rd minute, finishing off a well-delivered free kick by Yazid.
The win underlined Bendel Insurance’s remarkable resurgence under coach Kennedy Boboye.
The Benin Arsenal were 19th with just one win in eight matches at the time of his appointment but have since surged to fifth place with 32 points.
They are unbeaten in their last nine matches, have lost only once since Boboye took charge, and have dropped just four points from their last 27 available.
League Table Snapshot After Matchday 21
1st: Rivers United – 41 pts
2nd: Abia Warriors – 37 pts
3rd: Ikorodu City – 35 pts
4th: Nasarawa United – 35 pts
5th: Bendel Insurance – 32 pts
At the other end, Kun Khalifat remain bottom with 18 points, while Kano Pillars (22 pts), Plateau United (23 pts) and Wikki Tourists (23 pts) continue to battle to escape the relegation zone.
Matchday 21 Results at Glance
Enyimba 0-0 Barau
Plateau Utd 1-0 Wikki
Ikorodu City 1-0 Kwara Utd
Rivers Utd 1-0 Remo Stars
Bayelsa Utd 2-0 3SC
Nasarawa Utd 2-1 Tornadoes
Bendel Insurance 3-2 El Kano
Kano Pillars 0-1 Abia Warriors
Monday Fixtures
Kun Khalifat vs Rangers
Warri Wolves vs Katsina United
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