Rivers United and Plateau United continued their tight race for the League title with wins at home that left the two sides still separated by one point as the season reached the halfway fixtures
In other games, Remo Stars, Enugu Rangers also recorded home wins to stay within sight of the front runners as the curtain fell on the first stanza of the 2021-22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season on Sunday.
At the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers United whipped reigning champions, Akwa United 4-1 to hold on to the top spot. They have now gone nine games without a defeat.
Ishaq Kayode opened the floodgate of goals in the seventh minute from the spot for his 11th goal of the season while former Heartland FC ace, Chijioke Akuneto weighed in a hat trick in the 12th, 28th and 43rd minutes to ensure they were 4-0 at half time. The Promise Keepers reduced the deficit in the 60th minute through Austin Osayande.
The win ensured the Pride of Rivers are halfway champions with 42 points from 19 games but Akwa United who will now host this fixture in a fortnight in Uyo are sixth with 27 points.
Plateau United continued to lay claims to the title after a routine 2-0 victory over Sunshine Stars at the New Jos Stadium. The win extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches.
Mohammed Zulkifilu and Haggai Katoh goals in the 22nd and 68th minutes guided the Peace Boys to their ninth win in the last 11 games. They are in second position with 41 points but the Owena Whales slid to the eighth spot with 26 points.
Enyimba picked a draw in Bauchi against Wikki Tourists to remain in the top half at the ninth spot with 26 points but they extended their winless streak to three games as Finidi George led technical crew continue to be under scrutiny.
At the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Remo Stars recovered from their away loss to Niger Tornadoes to thrash Kwara United 3-0. The victory which came courtesy of Andy Okpe, Tolulope Ojo and Seun Ogunribide in the 47th, 56th and 82nd minutes restored the Sky Blue Stars to the fourth spot with 32 points but Kwara United are a spot behind in fifth with 31 points.
At the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina, Kano Pillars defeated Gombe United 3-1. Ifeanyi Eze scored a brace with Rabiu Ali’s icing on the cake in the 88th minute. Yusuf Abdulazeez got the Desert Scorpions’ only goal in the 45th minute.
Earlier on Saturday, Enugu Rangers commenced their home matches in Awka with an eight-goal thriller.
The four Saturday encounters produced two home victories and two draws with 15 goals scored across the four venues.
High-flying Enugu Rangers were quick to adapt to their new home in Awka as they hammered Lobi Stars 5-3. Rangers followed up their 3-0 away thrashing of Akwa United with another five-star performance as they maintained their grip on third place on the NPFL table with 34 points.
The Flying Antelopes made it their third successive win through the strikes of Kenechukwu Agu and Ossy Martins who scored a brace each. The latter scoring against the team he played for last season while Chidiebere Nwobodo was also on the score sheet.
Troubled Lobi Stars scored three of theirs through Raphael Ayagwa, Joshua Akhabue and Douglas Achiv in the 57th, 66th and 81st minutes. Lobi slipped to the 19th spot with 19 points despite the sack of Eddy Dombraye.
Katsina United, who had not scored on the road in their last three away games, scored twice as they played out a 2-2 draw against Abia Warriors at the Okigwe Township Stadium.
Katsina United converted one of a series of attacks against Abia Warriors with a sublime finish from Salisu Mohammed after the striker received a pass from Kabiru Mohammed in the 14th minute.
Valentine Odoh restored parity for his side from a brilliant finish in the box in the 25th minute to make it three goals in his last two games.
Seven minutes later, the Changi Boys led again with Adebayo Saheed’s shot from a corner but that lead was short-lived after Godwin Obaje scored for the hosts in the 35th minute to ensure both sides were 2 goals apiece at half time.
The second half did not experience any goals as both teams shared the spoils.
Abia Warriors slid to the 13th position with 22 points while Katsina United moved up to the 15th position with 21 points.
At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Dakkada grabbed the maximum points at home to Niger Tornadoes. The win lifted them out of the relegation zone on 21 points as they finished the first stanza in 16th spot. But the Ikon Allah Boys must hope for an improved second stanza as they are currently 17th on the log with 20 points.
Edidiong Ezekiel scored again for the Dakkada in the second minute before Sunday Akinmoladun inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net in the 18th minute. Tornadoes rallied back in the second half to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot in the 88th minute through Sani Rabiu.
Heartland returned to the drop zone after a disappointing and dull goalless draw at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri against MFM who bounced back from a 2-1 home defeat to Kwara United penultimate weekend.
The Naze Millionaires are 18th on the log with 20 points while the Olukoya Boys are at the bottom with 17 points.
NPFL Matchday 19 Results
Kano Pillars 3-1 Gombe United
Plateau United 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Wikki Tourists 0-0 Enyimba
Remo Stars 3-0 Kwara United
Rivers United 4-1 Akwa United
Dakkada 2-1 Niger Tornadoes
Abia Warriors 2-2 Katsina United
Heartland 0-0 MFM
Enugu Rangers 5-3 Lobi Stars
