NPFL Roundup: Plateau outclass Akwa United to affirm two horse race with Rivers

  NPFL Roundup: Plateau outclass Akwa United to affirm two horse race with Rivers   By Fisayo Dairo   Plateau United outclassed reigning champions Akwa United 3-0 on Sunday to keep in touch with leaders Rivers United and restore the two horse race of the season which Remo Stars started with the Port Harcourt side.   In the game decided at the New Jos Stadium, Zaria road, hosts Plateau United made a fast start as winger Nenrot Silas gave them the lead after six minutes with an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box. Centre back Ibrahim Buhari then made the game safe after the hour mark before Izuchukwu Chimezie added icing on the cake in stoppage time.   The win takes Fidelis Ilechukwu's men back to within a point of Rivers United who had earlier stretched their lead to four points on Saturday. With 15 games played already this term, the top two sides are now five points clear of 3rd placed Remo Stars as the top three face difficult away ties in midweek.   Kwara United climbed one spot up to fifth after a hard earned 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes in a North Central Derby in Ilorin. Alao Danbani's fourth goal of the season which came in the 19th minute proved sufficient for Abdullahi Biffo's men to claim all three points in a cagey contest.   Also climbing on Sunday were Wikki Tourists who veered into the top half of the table after a spirited 1-0 win over neighbours Gombe United in the North Eastern Derby of equals.   After an inseparable one hour of football at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, home boy Manu Garba netted in the 63rd what turned out to be the only goal of the game as visitors Gombe United went down to ten men in stoppage time after the dismissal of right back Chidera Eze.   Wikki are now 7th on the log, climbing four places from their 11th placement before Sunday's game.   The final Match Day 15 game on Sunday also saw MFM FC continue their journey of possibility as they left it late to beat Sunshine Stars 1-0 in a South West Derby at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.   The obstinate Sunshine side thought they would once again escape with an away point but they had their hearts shattered nine minutes from time when substitute Muyiwa Alade Balogun scored with a fine effort.   Although the Church Boys still remain bottom of the log (now on goals difference), the win means they have now taken seven points from their last possible nine.   Up next is MatchDay 16 which comes up this Wednesday and Thursday in ten different centres as teams continue in their aspirations for different ambitions on the league log.     MatchDay 15 at a glance:   Sunday   Plateau United 3-0 Akwa United Kwara United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes MFM FC 1-0 Sunshine Stars Wikki Tourists 1-0 Gombe United   Saturday   Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina Utd Dakkada 2-1 Lobi Abia Warriors 2-1 3SC Rangers 0-0 Kano Pillars Rivers Utd 2-0 Nasarawa Utd Heartland 1-0 Enyimba