<
>

NPFL Wrap: Plateau United maintain five-point lead despite defeat

Plateau United LMC Media

NPFL league leaders Plateau United maintained their five-point lead at the top of the table, despite an away loss in Umuahia on matchday 25, while Wikki Tourist earned a first away point of the season against Ifeanyi Ubah FC in Nnewi.

Abia Warriors 2 - 1 Plateau United

Table-topping Plateau United's well-oiled machine broke down against Abia Warriors in Umuahia and they fell to a defeat when Shedrack Asiegbu struck a 98th-minute penalty for the hosts.

Asiegbu had put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute, controlling with his chest before volleying home, but Hamzat Owolabi, on as a substitute, levelled scores in the 80th minute with a deflected volley.

There was late drama in added time as Sherif Bashir won a penalty before Asiegbu completed his brace, sending Ajiboye the wrong way to move Abia Warriors into 11th-place and hand the leaders their second defeat in four games.

Akwa United 2 - 0 Katsina United

A strike each from Alhassan Ibrahim and Musa Newman within five first-half minutes secured a home win for Akwa United against Katsina United.

Alhassan netted from the spot in the 8th minute -- his 11th goal of the season, before Newman netted his second league goal in four days on 13 minutes.

The win propelled Akwa United into fourth, having played a game fewer than their immediate rivals, while Katsina United are in 14th.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah 0 - 0 Wikki Tourists

Visiting Wikki Tourists earned a first away point of the season against FC Ifeanyi Ubah, who continue their slump in the standings.

The Nnewi-based billionaires failed to win at home this season only for a third time, although they did come close with a spectacular Stephen Eze overhead kick in the second half.

Wikki Tourists impressively held out to earn a point which could prove vital as the relegation battle continues to intensify.

Kano Pillars 3 - 1 MFM FC

Stephen Odey ended his goal drought away in Kano, netting his 15th of the season, but it wasn't enough to save MFM FC. Their loss -- a first this season in a game when Odey has found the net -- sees them drop to third.

Rabiu Ali put the home side in front from the spot before Odey equalised in the 63rd minute after Sikiru Olatunbosun's assist. Two late goals in the final six minutes from Amos Gyang and Adamu Mohammed secured a win for Pillars.

El Kanemi Warriors 2 - 0 Remo Stars

Remo Stars suffered a 13th loss of the season against El Kanemi Warriors as the Sagamu-based club returned to the bottom of the log.

Sunday Anthony's brace earned Warriors a first league win in four games as they overtook MFM and raced into second-place, five points behind the leaders.

Sunshine Stars 2 - 1 Gombe United

Sunshine Stars increased their point tally to 30-points for the season although they still occupy 17th place following a victory over Gombe United in their first game at Ijebu-Ode, the ground they were banished to by the LMC.

Sikiru Alimi put Sunshine Stars ahead in the 32nd minute before midseason signing Dayo Ojo beat the keeper with an impressive long-range strike, extending the home team's lead.

Austine Oladapo reduced the deficit in the 57th minute, but both teams remain embroiled in the relegation fight, and Gombe United are only a spot above 20th.

Nasarawa United 1 - 0 Enyimba

Abdulrahman Bashir came back to haunt former employers Enyimba in Lafia, a game Nasarawa United won by the striker's 48th minute goal to move into eighth.

Crowd trouble prevented the teams and match officials from returning to the dressing rooms at the break, necessitating a half-time team talk on the pitch.

The win was a setback to Enyimba's continental ambitions, as they drop to seventh.