Enugu Rangers are back at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League courtesy of a 2-1 win against Nasarawa United at a packed Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu on Friday.
It was the Flying Antelopes’ first win against Nasarawa United in the NPFL since 2013. The visitors troubled the hosts in the opening exchanges with goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel and Camara Azeez looking shaky at the back. It was however Rangers who scored the first goal of the game through Bobby Clement in the 24th minute. Clement’s goal was Rangers’ first against Nasarawa United in the NPFL since May 2013. Obinna Nwobodo doubled Rangers’ lead in the 56th minute with a superb finish. Nasarawa United’s centre-backs Seun Sogbeso and Samson Gbadebo struggled to cope with the rampaging Rangers strikers who were in fantastic form. The Solid Miners replaced Esosa Igbinoba with Lordson Ichull on 72 minutes and that immediately changed the complexion of the game with his side winning a penalty three minutes after the substitution. Camara handled the ball in the box and the centre referee rightly pointed to the spot with Sogbeso expertly dispatching the ball into the net. It was the first time the Lafia-based side will score in Enugu in seven games. Rangers stood firm in the last 15 minutes to maintain their unbeaten home form, while Nasarawa United are still without a point on the road.