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By Abiodun Adewale.
Remo Stars are back in contention for a Super 6 spot in the abridged 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League, after a 1-0 win over Akwa United in a keenly contested match-day 16 encounter in Ikenne on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Captain Junior Nduka slotted home from the spot on the stroke of half-time to power the Sky Blue Stars into third on the table with 27 points.
The hosts were basking in the return of their restored three points and three goals, going into the game and they dominated possession but with few chances created.
Jean Efala, in goal for Akwa United, was called into action on two big occasions, first by Franck Mawuena, who couldn’t beat him in a one-on-one situation, before he kept out Andy Okpe’s shot from inside the area as well.
Akwa United also went close in between those chances, but Taiye Muritala couldn’t beat Remo goalkeeper Kayode Bankole with his low drive effort from an acute angle.
Remo got the breakthrough before half-time from the spot after Efela brought down Seth Mayi in the box. Nduka made no mistake from the resultant penalty kick to ease the pressure on their fans.
The visitors were relentless in the second 45 minutes, but their closest chance was an Ubong Friday’s free-kick, which went straight into Bankole’s hands, while the keeper also parried from the last corner kick of the game.
The Top 3 race in Group A has now intensified, with one point each separating clubs from second place to fifth place.
Thanks to Emeka Obioma’s 11th goal of the season, Enyimba recorded a 1-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri to sit second with 28 points.
Third-place Remo are one point ahead of Akwa, who sit fourth with 26 points, while Plateau United complete the neck-and-neck race in fifth place with 25 points, following their 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Kwara United in Akure.
The relegation fights in both groups will however wait till next week, with the fate of Kwara United, Nasarawa United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Dakkada and Wikki Tourists still hanging in the balance.