Heartland has become the second team to be demoted from the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League, while league champions Enugu Rangers were defeated on Wednesday by old rivals Shooting Stars of Ibadan in front of a packed home crowd.

Remo Stars, who moved into second place two points behind Rangers, aggravated Heartland’s misery with a 4-1 thrashing, dropping the team to the Nigerian league’s second division.

In Ibadan, Christian Pyagbara’s header in the 12th minute gave Shooting Stars three points and solidified their bid for a continental trip next season.

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In other matches, incumbent champions Enyimba of Aba slipped to third place after a disappointing 1-1 draw with visiting Bayelsa United.

Alade Balogun puts the home side ahead in the 20th minute, but the relegation-threatened Bayelsa side equalises in the 35th minute through Ekeson Okorie.

The result moved Enyimba into third place, following Remo Stars’ 4-1 victory over Heartland of Owerri at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

Stanley Joseph scored early in the 14th minute, and Franck Mawuena scored in the 38th minute, giving the home team a reprieve until the halftime break.

Joseph moved on with his third goal in the 69th minute, just as Jide Fatokun scored another dip in injury time, rendering Chukwu Emeka’s consolation goal earlier in the game meaningless.

In Ilorin, Kwara United beat Kano Pillars 2-0 at home, while Niger Tornadoes defeated Lobi Stars 3-2.

Plateau United added to Sporting Lagos’ relegation struggle with a 2-1 win away in Lagos.

Bendel Insurance outscored Rivers United 2-1 at Benin’s Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, while Akwa United defeated Katsina United 3-1 and Abia Warrious defeated Gombe United 3-1 away.Aqaaaqa

NPFL Matchday 36 Full Results

Gombe – Abia Warriors 1-3

Akwa United – Katsina Utd 3-1

Bendel – Rivers United 2-1

Enyimba – Bayelsa United 1-1

Kwara United – Kano Pillars 2-0

Niger Tornadoes – Lobi Stars 3-2

Remo Stars – Heartland 4-1

Sporting Lagos – Plateau United 1-2

Shooting – Enugu Rangers 1-0