By OLAWALE ALABI

Remo Stars Football Club returned to the apex position in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday with a 2-0 home win over visiting Bayelsa United of Yenagoa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that they won their Match Day 18 fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne with two late goals.

Jabbar Malik scored in the 84th and 88th minutes for the three points to take them to 33 after 18 games, made up of 10 wins, three draws and five losses.

They have scored 21 goals and conceded 11, to be ahead of title rivals Rivers United of Port Harcourt on goals difference.

Rivers United have the same 33 points from 18 matches from nine wins, six draws and three losses after scoring 18 goals and conceding 10 for a +8 goals difference.

They dropped to second after drawing 1-1 with hosts Nasarawa United in Lafia on Sunday, after canceling out the hosts’ 14th minute lead gained through Joshua John.

Kabiru Abdullahi’s 50th minute penalty kick goal saved their blushes.

The weekend’s biggest result was in Enugu where hosts Rangers International fell to eternal rivals Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan 0-1.

Ikouwem Udo scored in the 28th minute for the win which helped them to leapfrog Rangers into the third position, after amassing 30 points from 18 games.

They got nine wins, three draws and six losses from 17 goals scored and 13 conceded, to be two points ahead of Rangers who are now fourth with 28 points from 18 matches.

In other match day 18 fixtures played on Sunday, Abia Warriors of Umuahia beat visiting Ikorodu City of Lagos 2-0 while Kwara United of Ilorin beat Katsina United 1-0.

On Saturday, Bendel Insurance of Benin beat Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0, while Kano Pillars beat visiting Niger Tornadoes of Minna 2-1.

Sunshine Stars of Akure also beat fifth-placed El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 1-0 in Ikenne.

The remaining match day 18 fixtures will see Akwa United of Uyo hosting Heartland FC of Owerri on Monday and Plateau United hosting Enyimba International of Aba on Thursday in Jos.

NAN reports that the league’s first round will end on Sunday Dec. 29 with match day 19 fixtures. (NAN)