NPFL Wrap: Plateau Utd back to top, resurgent Rangers win, Enyimba, Akwa lose

NPFL Wrap: Plateau go top, resurgent Rangers win, Enyimba, Akwa lose

By Kelvin Ekerete

Plateau United returned to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League table after their comfortable win over bottom-placed Adamawa United as the league recorded four goalless draws on match day 16 Sports Extra reports.

The Jos-based side returned to the top position after an emphatic 5-0 thrashing of Adamawa United at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday. Ibrahim Mustapha scored a brace in the 18th and 40th minutes, while Oche Ochowechi, Uche Onwuansanya and Abba Umar’s strikes completed the rout.

With the win, Plateau United have recorded eight wins in 16 games.

Fidelis Ilechukwu’s Heartland were not at their best as they played out a goalless draw against Kastina United in Okigwe. The Naze millionaires had hammered champions Enyimba 2-0 in an Oriental derby at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba on Wednesday but failed to breach Kastina’s defence after several attempts.

Nyima Nwagua and captain Rabiu Ali’s 80th and 83rd minute goals ensured Kano Pillars returned to winning ways as they piped Akwa United 2-0 in a match day 16 fixture at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

The win is Pillars’ first in four games while the loss is Akwa’s second in a row after they lost their last game to Kwara United in Uyo. This is Pillars first win against the Promise Keepers since 2018.

Lobi Stars were overthrown at the top of the table by Plateau United after they played out a goalless draw against Dakada FC at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi on Sunday.

The team from Uyo had shockingly lost their last game 3-0 at home to unheralded Nasarawa United, who played a goalless draw against Warri Wolves, while the tie between Kwara United and Sunshine Stars of Akure 0-0.

Ifeanyi George scored a brace as Enugu Rangers beat Abia Warriors 3-1 in an Oriental derby on Sunday. Ibrahim Olawoyin scored the opener in the sixth minute, while Bello Lukman grabbed the equaliser in the 12th minute but the goal only served as a consolation for the visitors.

George’s goals in the 40th and 69th minutes ensured the Flying Antelopes grabbed their fourth win of the season, which sees them move to 16th on the log.

Champions Enyimba’s woes in the league continue as they suffered their second loss in a row losing 2-0 to FC Ifeanyi Ubah in an Oriental derby on Sunday.

Sebastine Uche scored the opener in the 37th minute, while Ikenna Uche’s 66th minute goal confirmed the win for the Anambra Warriors.

Enyimba are currently 16th on the league table while IfeanyiUbah leapfrogged Akwa United to go sixth on the league table with 23 points from 16 games.

Credit: punchng