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The Jonathan Alukwu and Bassey John show failed to separate two relegation-threatened in the NPFL.
The NPFL's relegation dogfight took a dramatic twist as the basement battle between Barbie Boy-led Sporting Lagos and Bassey-inspired Bayelsa United produced a four-goal frenzy in just 10 second-half minutes!
In a crucial survival in Yenagoa, it was the visitors Sporting who struck first through a Jonathan Alukwu brace to race into a 2-0 lead.
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08:16 - 10.06.2024
NPFL Standings: What the latest title race twist means after the abandoned Rangers vs Enyimba derby
A look at the NPFL standings after an explosive matchday 35 featuring the Oriental derby between Rangers International and Enyimba.
Barbie Boy vs Bassey Thriller
Alukwu, fondly referred to as "Barbie Boy" double strike in the space of five minutes left the home side and their talismanic striker Bassey John staring down the barrel after 70 minutes.
But in an astonishing turnaround, Bayelsa roared back with two goals from Bassey in two minutes, three minutes after Alukwu doubled Sporting’s lead, to haul Bayelsa level at 2-2!
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The dual braces from the two star strikers had incredibly cancelled each other out in this relegation rumble in the Yenagoa humidity.
Despite the late flurry of action, neither side could find a winner as they had to settle for a share of the spoils in a pulsating 2-2 draw.
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NPFL Standings
The result leaves the two relegation rivals still perilously poised in the drop zone on 43 points apiece, separated only by goal difference with three games to play.
For Sporting Lagos, their winless run this season away from home continues as they remain in freefall towards relegation.
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As for Bayelsa United, while they extended their mini-unbeaten streak to two matches, tougher tests await with a wounded Enyimba up next.
In a weekend where the relegation brawl lived up to its billing, the battle of Alukwu vs John may have ended all square.
But you get the sense this four-goal thriller was merely the latest skirmish in what will be an epic survival scrap going down to the wire!
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