Stephen Manyo scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Rivers United secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ikorodu City in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The win helped Finidi George’s side reduce the gap at the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table. Rivers United are now just five points behind leaders Remo Stars, keeping their title hopes alive.
Ikorodu City remain in fifth place despite the narrow defeat.
Elsewhere, Abia Warriors climbed to third in the standings after edging oriental rivals Heartland 1-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. Adejoh Ojonugwa netted the decisive goal nine minutes from time.
In Aba, nine-time champions Enyimba were held to a 1-1 draw by Bayelsa United. Ekene Awazie opened the scoring for the hosts in the eighth minute, but Ogba Ifeanyi equalised almost immediately for the visitors.
Akwa United gave their survival hopes a major boost with a 2-0 away win over Kwara United in Ilorin. Goals from Osoba Kabir and Uche Sabastine sealed the much-needed victory for the Promise Keepers.
At the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over El-Kanemi Warriors, thanks to strikes from Moses Effiong, Bello Lukman, and Abdul Taofeek.
Full NPFL Results:
Heartland 0-1 Abia Warriors
Enyimba 1-1 Bayelsa United
Rivers United 1-0 Ikorodu City
Katsina United 3-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
Kwara United 0-2 Akwa United