Enyimba Monday night shot to the top of the NPFL championship playoffs after they beat FC Ifeanyiubah 3-1 as erstwhile leaders Kano Pillars were pegged back by Enugu Rangers.
Seven-time Nigeria champions Enyimba now have nine points from four matches, a point more than Kano Pillars, who were forced to a 1-1 draw by Rangers.
Reuben Bala grabbed a brace to sink FC Ifeanyiubah, who have now lost all four matches in this mini-league.
Kano Pillars tok the lead through a well-taken free kick by skipper Rabiu Ali, but Rangers were awarded a controversial penalty in the dying moments of the contest and Godwin Aguda put it away.
Angry supporters of Pillars invaded the Agege Stadium pitch as Rabiu Ali openly confronted the referee even after his teammates tried to deter him.
The other game in the playoffs saw Lobi Stars and Akwa United play out a scoreless draw.
Akwa United stay third on the table with six points, while Lobi are fifth having recorded four points from as many matches.
In Wednesday’s final round of matches, Rangers will hope to beat bottom team FC Ifeanyiubah to get into the top-3 bracket.
Enyimba will slug it out with Akwa United, while Lobi Stars need to beat Kano Pillars to stand any chance of booking a continental ticket via the league.
The top two teams will feature in the 2020 CAF Champions League, while the third-placed team play in the Confederation Cup.
