Peoples Elephant Remains Atop Premier League

Enyimba retained top spot in the Premier League on Sunday after defeating visiting Ocean Boys at the Enyimba Sports Stadium in Aba by 2 – 1.

The win ensured that the former African champion keeps hope alive for a sixth domestic league title.

The Aba millionaires currently top the Premier League log with 40 points from 22 games, two ahead of northern rival, Kano Pillars, with 38 points from same number of matches played.

The Peoples Elephant got off to a flying start when Chinedu Udoji stabbed home the home side’s first goal inside 10 minutes.

Both side sized each other up for the remainder of the first half, as the game ended with one-nil at half-time.

But Ocean Boys was first off the starting blocks in the restart when Emmanuel Enze equalized on 66 minutes before Magnus Iwuoha sealed all three points for the five-time Premier League winner 10 minutes later to send the fans at the Enyimba Stadium into jubilation.

Osas Idehen, who just returned from international duty with Nigeria’s Team B, was visibly the man pulling the strings for the home side and had a hand in one of goals.

Enyimba head coach, Okey Emordi, underscored the importance of the win in an interview with Naijaligue.blogspot.com saying: “It was important we got the full points because it was a difficult game for us and we needed to win since our closest rivals won yesterday (Saturday).”

Elsewhere, Wikki Tourist had to wait till three minutes into added time to secure a one-nil victory over Lobi Stars at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.

Tunde Aremu dispatched a late spot kick awarded to the home side to the anger of the coaching crew of Lobi, who felt hard done by the referee’s decision to award a late penalty.

Champion, Bayelsa United, also defeated Heartland by a lone goal through Mannir Ubale’s strike while Tochukwu Mbachu earned Warri Wolves all three points in Warri.

Sunshine Stars also pipped Kaduna United 2 – 1, as Gateway grabbed a lone goal victory over Zamfara United.

Already, Kano Pillars, Dolphin Football Club and Niger Tornadoes had posted victories over Kwara United, Shooting Stars and Gombe United, as Enugu Rangers remained the only side to pick away points in a one all draw at Kaduna against Ranch Bees.