Rivers United restored their seven points lead at the top while Sunshine Stars and MFM grabbed massive away points in some of the results of the Matchday 29 fixtures that produced 19 goals in games played over the weekend.
Rivers United returned to winning ways from their away loss to Heartland with a narrow 1-0 victory over Remo Stars at the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The Sky Blue Stars who got an exciting news before the clash that they were at liberty to use defence ace, Isah Ali after satisfactory clarificationclarification to the League Management Company (LMC) who had on Friday withdrawn the registration of the defender and striker Andy Okpe, played the game of their lives and thought they would return to Ikenne with at least a point.
But Rivers United scored through fortuitous circumstances 14 minutes from full time when Kazie Enyinnaya was at the right place to deflect home the only goal of the game. The win restored Rivers United’s seven points advantage at the top with 61 points after Plateau United, the second placed team, were beaten 2-0 by Abia Warriors in Okigwe on Saturday.
Katsina United pipped Enyimba by a lone goal to move to the 14th spot with 36 points from 28 games. Ahmed Taofeek’s 50th minute effort was the difference at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. The People’s Elephant dropped to the seventh spot with 42 points.
Sunshine Stars picked up their sixth away point of the season after they survived a second half penalty kick to secure a goalless draw at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi against Lobi Stars. It was a positive response from the Owena Whales who were held to a draw by Akwa United in their last home game.
Penalty kick specialist, Raphael Ayagwa was presented with the golden chance to put the Lobi Stars ahead in the 52nd minute but Ayagwa skied his effort to the chagrin of their fans. Lobi Stars are 16th on the log with 33 points but they are only a point clear of the relegation zone. Sunshine Stars are ninth with 39 points.
At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa United defeated Niger Tornadoes 1-0 for their fifth point in the last three games. Etim Matthew smartly sent the Katsina United goalie the wrong way from 12 yards in the 84th minute after a tactical foul in the visitors’ area. The league’s reigning champs are fifth with 44 points while Tornadoes are in the 15th spot with 36 points.
It was a six goals thriller at the Pantami Stadium, with the home team, Gombe United overcoming Kwara United 4-2. Abdulazeez Yusuf who has now drawn level with Rivers United’s Ishaq Rafiu on 14 goals in the race for the highest scorer, netted a brace in the 12th and 62nd minute. Barnabas Daniel and Samaila Bello with the other two strikes in the 81st and 86th minutes. Kwara United had Jide Fatokun and Junior Lokosa on the score sheets also in the 23rd and 90th minutes respectively
Gombe United moved to the eighth spot with 41 points but Kwara United slid out of the top five. They are sixth with 43 points.
The South West derby played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan ended 1-1 between Shooting Stars and MFM. The Oluyole Warriors dominated the encounter and deservedly took the lead in the 43rd minute through Chidera Ezeh after MFM failed to clear the rebound from a well struck free kick.
Buf MFM came back into the game in the 90th minute through Micah Ojodomo after Shooting Stars’ failure to convert some gilt-edge chances they had in the game.
At the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, Kano Pillars beat Heartland 3-1 and even had the luxury of missing a spot kick in the game.
Pillars started the game impressively and were leading 2-0 inside the opening 21 minutes through Auwali Ali and Ifeanyi Kelvin Eze’s goals in the 13th and 21st minutes. It could have been 3-0 before half time but Heartland goalkeeper, Chijioke Ejiogu saved Rabiu Ali’s spot kick in the 45th minute.
The miss gingered the visitors and they reduced the tally in the 61st minute through Nnamdi Egbujuo’s effort but Daniel Mark whose stoppage time goal handed Sai Masu Gida all points in Owerri struck again in the 77th minute to restore the two goal cushion.
At the New Jos Stadium, Jos, Nasarawa United pipped Wikki Tourists 1-0 through Tochukwu Michael’s sixth minute effort. It was the Solid Miners’ midfielder’s seventh goal of the season. The win reduced the pressure on underfire technical crew headed by Bala Nikyu whose wards are now in the 12th spot with 38 points.
Earlier on Saturday, Enugu Rangers relied on the goal of Christian Nnaji to down Dakkada 1-0. The home win took them back to the third spot with 48 points.
Abia Warriors also defeated Plateau United 2-0 through Gabriel Innocent andAtobasi’stobasi goals in the 35th and 90th minutes.
