The NPFL table changed in week five with some exciting results. There was plenty to cheer as the teams did not hold back with the goals.
The action started on Saturday with some surprising results. Despite the flurry of goals on Sunday, it changed little in how the table had shaped from the Saturday games.
After games this weekend, here is what the NPFL table looks like.
Several movements on the NPFL table
Enugu Rangers started the shuffle on Saturday. The Flying Antelopes knew that a win would take them temporarily to the top of the NPFL table, pending the results on Sunday.
Things looked pear-shaped for the Enugu side when they fell behind to an early Mohammed Yakubu goal, but the Flying Antelopes stormed back and hit Sai Masu Gida with four to take them top of the table.
Enugu Rangers thus have ten points and sit atop the NPFL table.
The Journey Continues.🤩
Watch the full highlights of our match against Kano Pillars.#HistoryTogether #NeverSayDie pic.twitter.com/Mdr1BUUhSC— Rangers International FC (@Rangers_Intl) October 29, 2023
The feisty tie in Gombe between Gombe United and Plateau United produced one goal and two red cards, but it was the home team that picked maximum points.
It took their tally to nine points and fourth on the NPFL table.
Bendel Insurance had the chance to move second on the log on Saturday, but the Promise Keepers denied them maximum points as they took a share of the spoils.
The result did little to help Akwa United, but it did a lot to hamper the Benin Arsenal, who are now ninth on the log.
More changes on the NPFL table on Sunday
The biggest mover after Sunday’s games was Shooting Stars of Ibadan. The Oluyole Warriors hosted Doma United. The Savannah Scorpions stung the home side early through a Nelson Abiam goal, but it was a sting that stung them to action.
Shooting Stars stormed back and scored three to win 3-1 and go second on the NPFL table with ten points.
Abia Warriors moved to fifth position following a 1-0 win over Heartland. It seems Heartland coach Christian Obi might get the boot. The gaffer now walks a tightrope as he received a two-game ultimatum to change their fortunes.
Heartland remains rooted in 19th place with three points.
The game in Katsina provided more excitement than was expected. The Changi Boys found a way to dim the stars of Sunshine.
A well fought battle.
A well deserved victory.
The good run continues pic.twitter.com/79bkqkdqt5
— Shooting Stars SC (@ShootingSc) October 29, 2023
The Akure side had taken the lead through Michael Olalusi in the 16th minute, but Katsina United replied with an equalizer in the 45th minute. Just before the break, Olalusi completed his brace to give Sunshine Stars a 2-1 halftime lead. Olalusi now has four league goals this term.
It then became the Lukman Bello show as the forward scored a second-half brace to give the Changi Boys victory. They moved to eighth place with eight points, while Sunshine Stars remain in 17th place.
Bayelsa United brought their three-game losing streak to an end. They stopped the Harmony Boys from leaving with a share of the spoils.
Robert Mizo returned to scoring ways with a brace to down Kwara United 2-1. The striker has now taken his tally for the season to five goals and remains top of the scorers chart.
With the win, Bayelsa United leapfrogged Kwara United and is now in 11th place on the NPFL table, while the Harmony Boys dropped to 15th.
Rivers United recorded their second win of the season with a hard-fought win over high-flying Lobi Stars. A 42nd-minute Alex Oyowah goal gave the Pride of Rivers maximum points. It helped them to tenth on the log.
The last game of the weekend was at the Mbolaji Johnson Arena, where Sporting Lagos defeated Niger Tornadoes 2-1, with veteran striker Junior Lokosa getting in on the act.
Sporting Lagos is now seventh on the NPFL table.
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NPFL table Week 5 – 2023/24 season |
|||||||||
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Enugu Rangers | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| 2 | Shooting Stars | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | Remo Stars | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | Gombe United | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| 5 | Abia Warriors | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| 6 | Lobi Stars | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| 7 | Sporting Lagos | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 8 | Katsina Utd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
| 9 | Bendel Insurance | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 10 | Rivers Utd | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 11 | Bayelsa Utd | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 6 |
| 12 | Niger Tornadoes | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 6 |
| 13 | Plateau Utd | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 6 |
| 14 | Kano Pillars | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 6 |
| 15 | Kwara Utd | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 5 |
| 16 | Doma United | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
| 17 | Sunshine Stars | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 4 |
| 18 | Enyimba | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| 19 | Heartland Owerri | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 3 |
| 20 | Akwa Utd | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 3 |
|
NPFL week 5 results |
||
| Bayelsa United
Robert Mizo 10, 33 |
2-1
|
Kwara United
Samuel Ayanrinde 18 |
| Katsina United
Michael Ibe 45 Lukman Bello 50, 63 |
3-2
|
Sunshine Stars
Michael Olalusi 16, 45+2
|
| Shooting Stars
Adelowo Gbolagade 45 Kareem Ayinde 60 Gideon Monday 90 |
3-1
|
Doma United
Nelson Abiam 8
|
| Abia Warriors
Meme Okike 8 |
1-0
|
Heartland FC
|
| Rivers United
Alex Oyowah 42 |
1-0
|
Lobi Stars
|
| Bendel Insurance |
0-0 |
Akwa United |
| Gombe United
Sadiq Shuaibu 90+4 |
1-0
|
Plateau United
|
| Enugu Rangers
Godwin Obaje 19 Isaac Saviour 53 Chkwudi Nwaodu 56, 83 |
4-1
|
Kano Pillars
Mohammed Yakubu 13
|
This article was most recently revised and updated 22 hours ago
