18 goals were scored on Matchday 5 of the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League with none in the long awaited Lagos Derby.
Social media was painted with #LagosDerby as Ikorodu United hosted MFM FC at the Onikan Stadium. It’s been over a decade since such a derby in the populous city of Lagos. Top flight football returned to the city this season and the two teams will fight to avoid relegation.
Unfortunately, it was a drab affair with missed chances and a couple of saves from the visiting goalie. The major talking point came just before the break when the card hungry referee issued a second yellow card to MFM’s Monsuru for allegedly time wasting. MFM FC gave a good fight with 10 man and looked sharper in attack.
Enyimba FC lost 2-0 away to El-Kanemi Warriors and Abia Warriors had their goalie to thank for saving a last minute penalty in Jos against Plateau United. The Umuahia based Abia Warriors are now the only team yet to be defeated this season. It was goals galore in Kano as Rabiu Ali grabbed a hat-trick for Kano Pillars in their 3-2 defeat of Akwa United. The Promise Keepers from Akwa-Ibom were reduced to 10 men and lost their first game of the NPFL season despite scoring the opening goal.
Nasarawa United were beaten by a late goal in Port Harcourt by Rivers United FC. The Solid Miners are now the 6th team to reside at the bottom of the table (@OptaNGR). According to Opta Nigeria, 6 different teams have graced the top of the table this season just as 6 different teams have been at the bottom.
Rangers needed Godwin Aguda’s first half goal to fly to the top of the table for the first time in over 600 days. Will the Flying Antelopes remain there? Will they win a trophy this season?
Matchday 5 Full Results
Rivers United FC 1-0 Nasarawa United FC
Sunshine Stars FC 1-1 FC IfeanyiUbah
El-Kanemi Warriors FC 2-0 Enyimba FC
Heartland FC 1-0 Lobi Stars FC
Kano Pillars FC 3-2 Akwa United FC
Plateau United FC 1-1 Abia Warriors FC
Warri Wolves FC 1-0 Niger Tornadoes FC
Shooting Stars FC 2-1 Giwa FC
Ikorodu United FC 0-0 MFM FC
Rangers FC 1-0 Wikki Tourists FC
You can check more NPFL news on the LMC website, Support The NPFL and That Enyimba Fan site.
Enjoy your week.
By @AmosCP
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