The status quo was maintained by the two teams struggling to break away at the top bracket of the Nigeria Premier Football League as top-placed Remo Stars and the second-positioned Rivers United laboured to a goalless draw in Ikenne.
It was a respite for Coach Finidi George as a loss would have meant a losing streak of three matches. The result was the only match-day 12 that did not produce any goal in all 24 of the week’s 24 goals.
With the draw, there is no change at the top as both retained their positions while results from other matches did not affect the two teams.
Momentarily, Rivers United slumped to the third position as they were upstaged by Enyimba who took a lone goal lead over Abia Warriors in an Abia State derby.
The ninth-minute goal by Clinton Jephta pushed Enyiba to the second position at 22 points and a six-goal difference, but the complexion suddenly changed when Abia Warriors’ Adejoh Ojonugwa restored parity in the 22nd minute. The two points gained by Enyimba were thus cancelled.
Shooting Stars of Ibadan are still stuttering and have yet to find a rhythm. They took an early lead against Ikorodu City as Anthony Okachi found the net in the 16th minute of their away duel.
Always goal-shy since the beginning of the season, they could not consolidate on the lead. Rather, the rejuvenated Ikorodu City equalised through Shola Adelani in the 58th minute.
Two minutes to regulation time, Rivio Ayemwenre scored the winning goal for Ikorodu City and with the 2-1 win they climbed to the eighth position on the log. In the early days of the league, they were bottom-placed, swimming in the murky waters of relegation.
In Enugu, defending champion, Enugu Rangers compounded the woes of Bendel Insurance with a 3-2 win at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium.
Godwin Obaje opened the scoring for the hosts in the 21st minute and Frank Uwumiro doubled the lead in the 39th minute while Effimi Nsi made it three in the 54th minute.
Bendel Insurance, attempting what their ladies counterparts, Edo Queens did on Saturday against Mamelodi Sundowns in their last group match of the CAF Women’s League, came back strongly in the final quarter of the match with two goals in the 67th and 85th minute. But it was still a bridge too far for them.
In Kano,Kano Pillars came back twice against the visiting Heartland of Owerri at the Sani Abacha stadium.
After a goalless first half, Suraju Lawal in the 51st opened score the visitors but veteran star player, Rabiu Ali in the 57th minute but Lawal restored the lead two minutes later.
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa scored the equaliser in the 75th minute to deny Coach Emmanuel Amuneke another away win this season.
Bayelsa United and Katsina United match ended 1-1 while El Kanemi Warriors and Niger Tornadoes saw the host secure a lone goal win.
All Week 12 Results
Saturday
Akwa United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Sunday
Remo Stars 0-0 Rivers United
Abia Warriors 1-1 Enyimba
Enugu Rangers 3-2 Bendel Insurance
Ikorodu City 2-1 Shooting Stars
Kwara United 2-0 Plateau United
Kano Pillars 2-2 Heartland
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Lobi Stars
Bayelsa United 1-1 Katsina United
