NPFL Roundup: Abia Warriors leapfrog Nasarawa United,as Enyimba compound Pillars woes in Aba
By Edward E.C
Abia Warriors moved to the zenith of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table after a fascinating 2–1 away victory over Niger Tornadoes at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna on Sunday, marking their first appearance at the top this season.
The victory inspired by first- half goals from dumunitive Sunday Megwo and a Sunday Akinmoladun own goal — saw the coach Imama Amapakabo’s tutored team move to 21 points from 11 matches, two points clear of Nasarawa United, who had led the standings in the past weeks,though with an outstanding match in Lafia .
Tornadoes pulled one back through Abdulrasheed Dabai in the 54th minute, but Abia Warriors held on to record their seventh win of the campaign and continue their impressive form both home and away.
Nasarawa United dropped to second place with 19 points from 10 games after suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat to Rivers United in Port Harcourt.
Timothy Zachariah’s lone strike ended the Solid Miners’ unbeaten run and improve Rivers United’s position on the standings — the Pride of Rivers now sit eighth with 15 points, albeit with two games outstanding.
Though the Solid Miners will be welcoming Remo Stars in Lafia in a reschedule fixture on Wednesday,a win will see a return back to the top.
In Maiduguri,Rangers International of Enugu played a barren draw against host Elkanemi Warriors on Sunday,making a straight goales draw after been held in Enugu a fortnight ago at the Cathedral by Kwara United.
The result takes Rangers to 13 point with an outstanding game at hand.
In Aba, Enyimba put the unfavourable results behind them as they pounced troubled Kano Pillars by two goals to nil at the Enyimba International Stadium to rekindle the confidence of their fans.
Bassey John Opens his Enyimba account with a very delightful header from a Chinedu Ufere cross in the 28′
before Edidiong Ezekiel doubles Enyimba FC’s lead in the 34′ following a defensive error from Kano Pillars players.
The victory pummel the People’s Elephant to sixth on the NPFL log with 16 points and a positive goal difference of +3.
For the Sai Masu gida, it was another excruciating outing following a poor strings of results orchestrated by their recent disciplinary sanctions and points deduction — the four-time champions are rooted to the bottom of the table with five points from ten matches after being docked three points and three goals by the NPFL for fans violence.
Other matches
Elsewhere, Bayelsa United earned a morale-boosting 2–1 win over Plateau United in Yenagoa in an early Sunday morning derby at the Samson Siasia Stadium,Yenagoa, while Shooting Stars were held 1–1 by Katsina United at the Adamasimgba Stadium in Ibadan.
At the MBJ (Onikan Stadium,Lagos) Ikorodu City continued their scintillating home form with a 2–0 victory over newly promoted Owerri based side Kun Khalifat, moving up to third on the table with 18 points and a goal difference of +5, level on points with Warri Wolves, who were forced to 1–1 draw host by Bendel Insurance in Benin.
In Ilorin,the Harmony Boys, Kwara United defeated league defending champion Remo Stars 3–1, climbing to seventh position on the log with 16 points, while Remo Stars slipped into the relegation zone with nine points, just above Barau FC (8 points), Bendel Insurance (7), and Kano Pillars (5).
Reschedule NPFL mid-week fixtures:
Bendel Insurance vs Rivers United
Nasarawa United vs Remo Stars
