By Mohammed Yusuf Suleiman
League leaders Rivers United maintained top spot on the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) log at the conclusion of MatchDay 18 a
following a 0-0 draw away to Gombe United.
Faced with pressure from their closest challengers, Plateau United who forced a draw away at Enyimba 24 hours earlier, Rivers United knew they needed at least a draw to stay top and they got just that at the Pantami stadium.
While the result kept the title dream of Rivers United alive, Gombe United consequently missed out on a chance to go further up the table and remain stuck at mid-table.
Second place Plateau United had on Saturday extended their unbeaten run to ten games with a 1-1 draw against Enyimba in Aba with Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men going behind to a Victor Mbaoma strike in the 28th minute.
With 19 minutes left to play, former Enyimba star Austine Opara ensured they returned to Jos with a share of the spoils with the leveller. They maintain their second position at the end of the round of matches.
Remo Stars went into their game against Niger Tornadoes in 3rd position but slipped further down the log after losing 0-1 with Musa Wakili’s penalty in the 4th minute earning Tornadoes all three points in the game decided at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
The biggest winners of the MatchDay were Rangers International who were 3-0 winners over champions Akwa United away from home. Coach Abdu Maikaba punished his former employers with the trio of Samuel Pam, Chidiebere Nwobodo and Shedrack Asiegbu scoring in the 55th, 70th and 90th minute respectively to silence the partisan fans at the Nest of Champions.
Kwara United also moved up the log with a hard earned 2-1 win over Heartland, made possible by two goals in the space of three minutes from Deji Bamidele and Alao Danbani in the 57th and 59th minute respectively. Chukwudi Nwaodu’s goal ten minutes from time ensured a nervy finish but it wasn’t enough to deny home side maximum points.
In Lafia, MFM FC breathed life into their bid to beat the drop with a 1-1 draw against Nasarawa United. Chukwudi Ekeocha gave the Lagosians an early lead, scoring two minutes into the game but Aliyu Abdullahi ensured the Solid Miners claimed a share of the spoils with his goal on the dot of half time.
Not too far away from Lafia, Lobi Stars were condemned to a 1-2 home defeat in Makurdi against Abia Warriors. A brace from Valentine Odoh sandwiched by a goal from Solomon Kwambe for the hosts earned Warriors the important points and culminated in the sacking of Lobi Stars coach Eddy Dombraye after consecutive home losses.
Katsina United bounced back from the pain of conceding late to lose 0-1 to Plateau United in their last Match by scoring early and hanging on for all three points against Wikki Tourists.
Ten man Wikki were put to the sword by a strike from Habibu Yakubu in the 17th minute with their hopes of a comeback made more difficult following the sending off of Murtala Dagbo in the 68th minute.
In Ijebu-Ode, Emmanuel Charles’ goal in the 2nd minute for Dakkada didn’t help them to a much needed away win with Sunshine Stars recovering to win 2-1 with goals from the Babatunde Bello (another free kick goal) and Ikenna Cooper.
In Sunday’s night game, defender Uche Ezeala scored in the 15th minute to power Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) to a 1-0 win over Kano Pillars. The game decided at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba had Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in attendance and saw the Oluyole Warriors recording their first win in six outings.
MD18 Results
Akwa Utd 0-3 Rangers
Lobi Stars 1-2 Abia Warriors
Gombe Utd 0-0 Rivers Utd
Nasarawa Utd 1-1 MFM
Enyimba 1-1 Plateau Utd
Kwara Utd 2-1 Heartland
Sunshine Stars 2-1 Dakkada
Katsina Utd 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Remo Stars.
Shooting Stars 1-0 Kano Pillars
