The weekend the instalment of Matchday 17 in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

where a total of twenty six goals were scored in the Nine matches played .

Here are the summary of the actions on the Matchday 17 as we serve you the five things you need to know in the NPFL.

Back To Back Clean Sheets For Ogunbote’s Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars defeated Kano Pillars by 2-0 to shoot to number four on the log.

The result condemned Kano Pillars to defeat in their first travel to the South West this season while it confirmed the resurgence of
Gbenga Ogunbote’s Shooting Stars after early season hiccups as the stars recorded another clean sheet in the league making a back to back three points without concerning a goal.

Thus making it the first time in the season where Shooting Stars will not concede a goal in back to back games as well making it three wins in the last three matches.

Remo, Rangers, Insurance Secure Vital Away points

It was a vital away point for the trio of Remo Stars, Bendel Insurance and Rangers as the teams were the only teams that returned and escaped without a loss from their travel.

Bendel Insurance held Heartland in Owerri in Owerri to raise their point to 17 points as they kept their intent of escaping relegation alive.

Remo Stars were forced to 1-1 by Ikorodu City in Lagos, in a fierce South West Derby as Remo Stars almost grabbed the three points at stake before the Chineme Chinonso 90 minute goal cancelled Ibrahim Shuaibu in the 8th minute of the encounter.

Nevertheless, Remo Stars winning a point in Lagos is vital to their title ambition as the Ikenne based team is two two points behind Rivers United who tops the table after route home win as Kwara United lost by 2-1 at the Adokie Amasiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile Enugu Rangers continue their superb form on the road, another vital point for the defending Champions keeps them in third behind Remo Stars and Rivers United at 28 points, Remo Stars on 30 and Rivers United has 34 points, as the battle to win the league continues.

Niger Tornadoes, Elkanemi Warriors Run Riot

Sunshine Stars got spanked 4-1 by Niger Tornadoes in Minna as Sunshine Stars continued their free fall in the league.

The Stars have only won matches in the last 10 and only scored first away goal in seven matches as Niger Tornadoes ran away with all points at stake, notching their only second victory over Sunshine Stars in last five meetings in style .

Elkanemi Warriors also won the Warriors battle as they ran riot over Abia Warriors in Maiduguiri.

Elkanemi Warriors made a light work of Abia Warriors and returned to winning ways.

The result was inspired by Elkanemi engaging in community service before the encounter by connecting their needy communities with kindness a few hours before the kick off of the match.

Mixed Derby Results

The weekend saw a couple of local derbies, starting from the North derby between Lobi Stars and Plateau United.

Lobi Stars triumphed in the match at Lafia by 1-0 , a result which lifted their head above the relegation waters while Plateau United failed to get any point on the road in the last six travels.

Both teams were on number 15 and 16 respectively with 19 and 18 points respectively.

The South South Derby between Bayelsa United and Akwa United, saw Bayelsa United strolled away with the maximum three points.

A huge setback for Akwa United in their battle to escape relegation as they remained rooted at the bottom of the log with 16 points in 17 matches .

The South West Derby between Remo Stars and Ikorodu City in Lagos ended in a 1-1 draw .

The historic clash between the neighbours lived up to the hype as a capacity crowd witnessed the match at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena Onikan Lagos.

Best Of The Rest

Enyimba once again exempted in the league this weekend due to continental engagement.

The Aba elephant will however host Nasarawa United on Thursday after they might have returned from their trip to Maputo where they engaged Black Bullets of Mozambique in the CAF Confederation Cup.

For the records, Enyimba are yet to win any NPFL games in the last six outings, it all ended in draws.

Matchday 17

SOURCE: SPORTS 247