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Enugu Rangers players

Enugu Rangers are the new leaders of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after recording a 1-0 win over Wikki Tourists in Enugu on Saturday.


Both sides came into the game in fine form having suffered just one defeat in their opening four games of the season.

They also knew that a win for either side would take them to the top of the standings. The hosts had the first sight of goal in the sixth minute but Obinna Nwobodo’s effort was too weak to beat Emeka Nwabulu in the Wikki goal.

Five minutes later, the home side had another chance to take the lead but Bobby Clement’s header from a corner went wide.

The visitors were on the back foot but looking dangerous on the counter-attack and on one of such breaks on the quarter hour, Mustapha Ibrahim took matters into his hands but after a lung-bursting run through midfield, he fired his final ball wide.

Wikki almost took a surprise lead on 24 minutes when Yau Hassan fired wide from close range after a good work from the impressive Mustapha.

The hosts’ goalkeeper, Itodo Akor, was forced to make a desperate goalline clearance in the 35th minute to deny a lurking Mubarak who looked poised to pounce.

Godwin Aguda then gave the hosts the lead deep into first half added time when he scrambled home from close range in a crowded penalty area.

Rangers continued to ask attacking questions after the break with Bitrus Dada forcing a save from the extremely busy Nwabulu in the Wikki goal.

Ifeanyi Egiwm and Osas Okoro came close to extending the lead of the hosts but were denied by good goalkeeping and poor finishing.

The win lifts Rangers over former leaders Lobi Stars as they have now amassed 10 points from their opening five games while Wikki drop to fifth. But the lead is temporarily till other matches are concluded on Sunday.