The three-match ultimatum had since elapsed but coach Stanley Eguma channelled his Rivers United team to an emphatic 3-1 win over Remo Stars in Sagamu. Matchday 34 of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League was characterized by home wins with Rivers United the only team that earned at least a point on the road. No other team scored on the road.

It was a tale of logistics in the choice to air a relegation battle in Sagamu instead of a top of the table clash in Jos. The choice of Sagamu proved to be better as there 4 goals recorded compared to a solitary goal in Jos.

Bernard Ovoke opened the scoring with a 15th minute free-kick before Emeka Ogbugh made it 2-0 in the 34th minute from a rebound. Esosa Igbinobia made it 3-0 after he converted Ali Chiwendu’s free-kick that hit the post. Salefu Ochowechi gave the host a consolation in the 88th minute. The win for Rivers United pulls them out of the relegation zone.

The consolation was not enough as Remo Stars found themselves 15 points adrift of safety with 4 matches to go. They follow Ikorodu United who also were privately funded with a lot of paparazzi but will now play in the NNL after one season at the top. With 4 matches to go, can they play for pride by finishing 19th?

In Jos, Ibeh Johnson’s 3rd minute winner was enough as Plateau United defeated second placed MFM FC. Can we just ship the trophy to Plateau United for keeps? They can now start preparing for the award ceremony on Matchday 38 when they would round the league with a game against the reigning champions – Rangers.

With the top two spots almost certain, the race for the third continental slot continued in Uyo and Calabar. Akwa United – without three of their best midfielders on national assignment – saw off Niger Tornadoes with goals from Cyril Olisema, Gabriel Okechukwu and Edem Akakatang. In Calabar, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu had two first half free-kicks converted by Stanley Dimgba and Eric Frimpong as Enyimba defeated ABS FC 3-0. Ibrahim Mustapha scored the third. They will meet again on Wednesday in the AITEO Cup.

Rangers took a big leap away from the relegation zones with a 1-0 win over Sunshine Stars. There were 1-0 wins for Gombe United over Kano Pillars and Nasarawa United over Lobi Stars. Buhari Jafar scored in stoppage time to give Nasarawa United all three points.

In the other games, Abia Warriors were 2-0 winners over Sunshine Stars while FC IfeanyiUbah lost 2-0 to El-kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri.

Bonus: Nigeria lost to Benin Republic for the first time no thanks to a late penalty in Cotonu. It was a CHAN qualifier and the home based Eagles failed to grind out a result in the first leg. They have the second leg on Saturday to turn it around.

The Federation Cup – now AITEO Cup – Round of 64 kicks off tomorrow with a new format; expect exciting results and events.

@AmosCP