NPFL Matchday 23 Preview: Lobi Extend Lead, MFM Pick 3 Points on The Road As Enyimba Lose In 7 Goal Thriller

By Admin Seven-time Nigeria league champions Enyimba were beaten for a second time on the road in four days when they fell to a 4-3 loss against Nasarawa United in Lafia. Former Nasarawa United forward Abdulrahman Bashir scored on his return to Lafia to give Enyimba a 26th-minute lead, but the home team's bullish response blew the visitors away. Goals from Emmanuel Makama, Nojeem Olukokun and Zinte Udeh within 16 first-half minutes handed the Solid Miners a clear advantage. Enyimba responded through Chinedu Udeagha and Freedom Omofoman, but Makama's second - a 79th-minute penalty - effectively sealed maximum points for the hosts, who move three points clear of the dropzone. 10-man Lobi Stars extended their lead at the top of the table to five points, thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 home win against Yobe Desert Stars in Makurdi. Veteran forward David Tyavkase scored on a rebound after three points, before Austine Ogunye doubled the lead in the 41st minute. Samad Kadiri was shown a straight red for needlessly elbowing Solomon Babatunde at the half-time interval, but that didn't stop the dominance, as Cletus Itodo completed the scoring five minutes from time. Goals from Paul Obata and Gabriel Wassa in the 20th and 46th minutes sealed a comfortable 2-0 home victory for Akwa United over Niger Tornadoes, a win which takes the Promise Keepers to 38 points and second on the log. A third loss in five games for Tornadoes sees them drop to sixth. Kano Pillars had goalkeeper David Obiazo to thank as they ground out an impressive 0-0 draw at Abia Warriors. Sai Masu Gida's eighth away draw of the season, achieved without Junior Lokosa in the matchday squad, was good enough to keep their faint title aspirations alive, although they remain six points off Stars. Elsewhere, Sunday Anthony's 61st-minute goal sealed a 1-0 home win for El-Kanemi Warriors against champions Plateau United. Anthony's winner eased the Warriors' relegation as they climbed four spots away from the dropzone. Balogun Alade was the match-winner for MFM FC, who impressively earned a 1-0 result at FC Ifeanyi Ubah, their first away win of the season. However, it could have been a different outcome had Seka Pascal's 71st-minute penalty not been saved by goalkeeper Nasamu Emmanuel, whose heroics culminated in a second successive home defeat for a deflated FC Ifeanyi Ubah. In other results, Destiny Ashadi's 30th-minute strike handed Katsina United a 1-0 home win over Enugu Rangers, who had Pape Ousmane sent off for dissent. Zeidine Ahimeye converted from the spot on 76 minutes, earning bottom-side Heartland FC only a fifth win of the season at home to Go Round FC. Sunshine Stars earned a massive 0-0 away draw at Rivers United, although the Akure-based team remain in 19th, while Ocheme Edoh's 11th-minute strike sealed a vital 1-0 home win for Wikki Tourists against Kwara United, as they move three spots above the drop zone.