Matchday 15, 16 and Rescheduled Review
The NPFL is heading towards the midway with Matchday 15 and 16 games played in April. Matches earlier scheduled for April 1st had to be postponed by the LMC due to Easter celebrations. While the populace went haywire with the decision, the NPFL continued few days later with fourteen matches played so far in April and 32 goals scored between the two Matchdays.
After beating the defending champions Plateau United 3-0 in Nnewi, FC IfeanyiUbah went to Kano on Matchday 15 and get thrashed 4-0 with Junior Lokosa scoring a brace to have 14 goals in 14 matches for Kano Pillars this season. Nyima Nwagua and Awalu Ali were the other goal scorers. 18 minutes into their next game, it looked like the thrashing from Kano would continue at home; Sikiru Alimi put Sunshine Stars ahead in Nnewi to surprise of FC IfeanyiUbah. The Galaticos as they brandish themselves fought back from a goal down to defeat Sunshine Stars 3-1 on Matchday 16. There were goals from Patrick Ikeokwu, Issif Traore and Chijioke Alaekwe.
Ibrahim Ajani helped 2016 champions, Rangers International, to a 3-0 win over visiting Yobe Desert Stars last week Wednesday. A brace and an assist was enough for the Antelope. Rangers’ unbeaten run over Niger Tornadoes was ended with a 1-0 loss in Minna on Sunday. Rivers United were 2-0 winners of Heartland with the goals coming from Emeka Ogbugh and Roland Koffi – former Heartland players.
Najeem Olukokun scored a brace in Nasarawa United’s 2-1 win over Katsina on Matchday 15. Katsina United in turn defeated Rivers United 2-1 on Matchday 16 in Katsina. Martins Usule winner 11 minutes from time earned the home side the three points.
Lobi Stars were 1-0 winners over El-Kanemi Warriors and seem to be running away at the top of the table following their 1-1 draw in Umuahia last week Wednesday. Abia Warriors love Oriental Derbies and they made sure they secured their unbeaten status over Heartland when they visited Owerri on Sunday. The game ended 0-0 with Heartland yet to record a victory over Abia Warriors in the NPFL.
In Akure, Sunday Emmanuel’s free-kick goals were not enough as they were held to a 2-2 draw by visiting Kwara United last week Wednesday. The Ilorin based side fought back a determined Enyimba side in Ilorin today to earn a draw.
It was mixed fortunes for the Nigerian clubs on the continent over the weekend. Enyimba FC held Bidvest Wits to 1-1 draw in South Africa, Plateau United defeated USM Alger 2-1 in Agege, Akwa United lost 2-0 to Al Hilal of Sudan while MFM lost at home to Mali.
In the rescheduled NPFL matches, MFM FC defeated Nasarawa United 2-1 at the Agege Stadium while Rivers United emerged 2-0 winners over Akwa United in Port Harcourt. Akwa United conceded their first penalty of the season.
Looking at the NPFL table, Lobi Stars are 5 points clear at the top with 9 wins from 16 matches. Kano Pillars are second with 25pts, 2 points above Katsina United. Kwara United remain bottom of the NPFL.
AmosCP
Photo-credit: LMC Media
Post was first published on kiniscore.com as “Lobi Stars Five Points Clear as Kwara United Remain Bottom“
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