NPFL MD 18 Wrap: Late Dramas Sees Kwara, Pillars Maintain Top Spot As Sunshine Stars Extends Winless Streak To Eleven

NPFL MD 18 Wrap: Late Dramas Sees Kwara, Pillars Maintain Top Spot As Sunshine Stars Extends Winless Streak To Eleven By Omolagba Oluwayemi An hattrick it was for Silas Nwankwo in the goal feast at the Nasarawa Township Stadium as Nasarawa United returned to winning ways with a 5-3 win against Abia Warriors who also had their eight games unbeaten run, BSNSports.com.ng reports. Ikenna Ofor scored for the third game running at home when he opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Fatai Abdullahi equalised for Abia Warriors from the spot in the 21st minute. Silas Nwankwo scored the first of his hattrick 3 minutes before the break with the hope of sending Nasarawa United to the break with a lead but Godwin Obaje had other ideas, equalising for Abia Warriors at the death of the first half. Two minutes into the restart, Silas Nwankwo restored Nasarawa's United lead and just as Abia Warriors were in search of another equaliser, Chinedu Ohanachom made it a two goal caution for the Lafia based club in the 58th minute. Fatai Abdullahi gave Abia Warriors a fighting chance when he scored his second of the evening in 76th minute but Silas Nwankwo endured there is no comeback for Abia Warriors when he netted his third of the evening to make it 5-3 for United. Mfon Udoh scored a brace as Akwa United move to third on the NPFL table in a remarkable 3-0 win over Lobi Stars of Markurdi at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Nwani Ilechukwu opened the scoring for the Promise Keepers in the 17th minute and then Mfon Udoh scored the first of his brace 6 minutes later and at the death of the first half, completed his brace. Late dramas in Kastina and Kaduna as both Kwara United and Kano Pillars won it late against their opponent. Micheal Ohanu scored a 90th minute winner as Kwara United returned to the top of log after Sani Faisal 31st equaliser for Kastina United cancelled out Nasiru Afees 5th minute opener. And in Kaduna, two penalties and a red card helped Kano Pillars overturned a goal deficit to beat Heartland 2-1. Chidera Ezeh had earlier put Heartland ahead in 38th minute but two penalty goals by Rabiu Ali (45') and David Ebuka (90') helped the Sai Masu Gida return joint top with Kwara United. Sunshine Stars extends their winless run to 11 this evening after losing 1-0 to Rivers United in Port Harcourt. Things keep getting worse for the Gbenga Ogunbote side who last won a game in January. Ranger Int'l of Enugu slipped to 5th on the log after losing 2-1 to Plateau United in Jos while Warri Wolves compounded FC Ifeanyi Ubah's woe beating them 3-1 at the Polytechnic Stadium in Delta. Still to come tomorrow for the round 18, Jigawa Golden Stars to play host to MFM FC in Kaduna while Enyimba will play at the Enyimba Int'l Stadium Aba against Dakkada FC