Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye rolled back the years on Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 36, scoring both goals in Enyimba’s 2-0 win over Kwara United — a vital result that keeps the former champions firmly in the race for continental football.
The 35-year-old struck in the 12th and 45th minutes at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, as the Aba Giants climbed to fifth place with 55 points. With only two matches remaining, the battle for top-three finishes and the lucrative continental spots they bring is intensifying.
Rivers United solidified their position in second place with a gritty 1-0 victory over Rangers.
The decisive moment came in first-half stoppage time when Samson Obi fired home, giving the Pride of Rivers a four-point cushion over third-placed Abia Warriors, who slipped up in a dramatic 1-1 draw with Niger Tornadoes.
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Emmanuel Iwu’s late own goal cancelled out Mohammed Hussaini’s earlier opener, costing Tornadoes two valuable points.
Remo Stars, already crowned champions, suffered a rare setback in Maiduguri as they were beaten 2-0 by a spirited El-Kanemi Warriors side. While the result had no bearing on the title race, it could prove crucial in the relegation scrap, with El-Kanemi moving up to 46 points.
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In Lagos, Ikorodu City edged Bayelsa United 3-2 in a back-and-forth thriller that kept their continental hopes alive. Nwanni Okechukwu opened the scoring for the hosts before a Bayelsa own goal levelled matters.
Oyedokun restored Ikorodu’s lead shortly after, only for Sadiq Auwal to drag Bayelsa level again.
In the second half, it was Adelani who had the final say, netting the winner to seal all three points. The newly promoted side remain firmly in the hunt for a top-three finish, sitting fourth on 56 points — just one behind Abia Warriors.
The fight for survival is reaching boiling point, with three more clubs set to join already-relegated Lobi Stars. Lobi lost 2-1 at home to fellow strugglers Nasarawa United, despite taking an early lead through Japhet Kundushima.
Second-half goals from Shina Kumater and Anas Yusuf turned the match around for Nasarawa, who now sit on 49 points above the relegation line.
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Heartland gave themselves a lifeline with a 2-0 win over Plateau United, lifting them to 45 points. Akwa United, however, remain in serious trouble after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Bendel Insurance. The result leaves the Uyo-based side stuck on 41 points, with time running out to escape the drop.
Elsewhere, Katsina United claimed a vital 1-0 win over Kano Pillars, moving to 47 points, while Shooting Stars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sunshine Stars.
A late penalty from Ikouwem Utin proved the difference, plunging Sunshine deeper into relegation danger.
