NPFL Matchday 23 Preview: Lokosa 19th Goal Saves Kano Pillars, Lobi Remain on Top As Akwa Utd Record Away Win

By Tunde Eludinni Junior Lokosa may have been dropped from Nigeria’s World Cup squad, but the Kano Pillars’ striker still has his scoring prowess intact as he netted his 19th goal in the league this season on Sunday. Fans at the Sani Abacha Stadium had value for money as they were served a thrilling encounter in which hosts Pillars came from behind to force Rivers United to a 1-1 draw. Chikere Osita had given Rivers United an early lead 12 minutes into Sunday’s Match Day 23 clash. However, Lokosa who is making his return to Pillars’ starting line-up after recently spending time with the Super Eagles equalised for the home team two minutes after the break. It was Lokosa’s 19th goal of the campaign and he is now 4 goals away from matching the record presently held be Mfom Udoh who is the only player to score 23 goals in a season in the Nigeria league. Rivers United finished the game with 10 men after Musa Newman was sent off in the 77th minute. With the stalemate, Pillars extended their unbeaten run to seven games but they would have been happier getting maximum points on their home turf. Elsewhere, a ten-man Akwa United reduced the gap between them and league leaders Lobi Stars to two points after securing a 1-0 away win against Yobe Desert Stars in Damaturu. The Promise Keepers, who had Ayobami Asekunowo sent off for a second bookable offence in the first half, netted the winner 14 minutes from the end through Michael Ibe who jabbed home Matthew Etim’s cross. Abdu Maikaba’s men remain in the second position in the table with 43 points. Shedrack Oghali’s 69th-minute strike condemned leaders Lobi Stars to their second consecutive defeat at Go Round FC after they had gone down 1-0 against Enyimba in a rescheduled match day 21 encounter in midweek. There was another stalemate in Jos where the defending champions Plateau United needed a late Saidu Salisu penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw against Abia Warriors. In Calabar, goals from Uche John (penalty) and Joseph Osadiaye helped Enyimba to beat Katsina United 2-0. In other results, Sunshine Stars beat Nasarawa United 2-0 in Akure while Niger Tornadoes edged Wikki Tourists 1-0 at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna courtesy of Mubarak Ejiogu’s 28th-minute strike. Enugu Rangers beat Heartland by a lone goal in Sunday’s Oriental Derby. Ifeanyi George’s 24th-minute effort gave the Flying Antelopes the crucial win. MATCHDAY 23 RESULTS Kwara Utd 1-0 FCIU Enyimba 2-0 Katsina Utd Sunshine Stars 2-0 Nasarawa Utd Kano Pillars 1-1 Rivers Utd Plateau Utd 2-2 Abia Warriors Tornadoes 1-0 Wikki Yobe Desert Stars 0-1 Akwa Utd Go Round 1-0 Lobi Rangers 1-0 Heartland Source: Premiumtimes.ng