Plateau United Still Stays On Top Despite All The Challenge Faced In Subsequent Matches
Plateau United maintained their position at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after a 0-0 outing at Lobi Stars on Sunday.
Lobi despite having the striking pair of Anthony Okpotu and Kingsley Eduwo who have 24 goals between them could not breach a resolute Plateau United at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.
Kennedy Boboye’s men kept Lobi at bay and ensured that they did not thrive through the flanks, forcing them to route-one football.
The result has taken Plateau United’s points to 55, five more than second-placed Akwa United who scraped to a 2-1 success over a plucky Nasarawa United.
Nasarawa United took the lead on 38 minutes through Aminu Kadir before Ubong Friday headed the ball past Suraj Ayeleso to put Akwa United on even terms, four minutes to the break.
Three minutes into the restart Christian Pyagbara scored the winner for Akwa United.
Struggling Gombe United put life back into their race for survival as they fought back from two goals to earn a 2-2 draw at FC Ifeanyi Ubah.
FC Ifeanyiubah raced into a two-goal lead through identical free kicks scored by Beninoise Isaac Loute in the first half. Gombe United levelled matters through Sani Abbani and Austine Oladapo and could have even snatched a late winner before the referee Samuel Agba ended the game just as Abbani made the attempt to score.
Guy Keumian, Emeka Ogbugh and Chiwendu Ali scored for Rivers United as they cruised to a 3-1 victory over Wikki Tourists. Abubakar Lawal’s goal only proved Elementary for Wikki.
ABS ran out two-nil winners over Enugu Rangers to suck them into the relegation zone. Abubakar Chindo and Wasiu Alalade scored for ABS. Both teams are in the bottom-four.
Kano Pillars stay in the top half of the ranking after a 2-0 win over bottom-placed Remo Stars. First half goals by Nyima Nwagua and Sikiru Kamal were enough for Pillars to add misery to the Remo Stars’ ambition to escape the drop.
Enyimba’s ambition of a title chase, or even a top-three finish, took a massive dent with a 0-1 loss at 3SC. Enyimba were second best for long spells in the game as 3SC held on to their early goal from Abayomi Adebayo ease their relegation woes temporarily.
Sikiru Alimi’s goal ensured that Sunshine Stars gave themselves a huge lifeline in their bid to escape the drop as they moved three points clear off the relegation zone. They defeated El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0.
Niger Tornadoes versus Abia Warriors was the other game that produced no goals.
The 10th game of the match day – MFM FC versus Katsina United – was moved to Monday following a heavy rain.
