Dolphin go top of NPL till Sunday

Thompson of Kano Pillars

Three second-half goals ensured that Dolphin Football Club returned to winning ways and top of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) on Saturday when they beat Gombe United 3 – 0 at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.

The win over Gombe United sees Dolphin leapfrog Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), who suffered their first loss of the season at Kano Pillars.

Under20 midfielder, Abduljeleel Ajagun, put Dolphin on the path of a comfortable triumph on 55 minutes before the duo of Emma Godwin and Uche Oguchi both scored from the spot on 70 and 77 minutes respectively.

Dolphin will remain on top of the league until Sunday’s outcome from the game between Sunshine Stars and Enugu Rangers at the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.

Warri Wolves slot into second place with eight points – one behind leaders, Dolphin – after grabbing their first away win in two seasons against Jos University Teaching Hospital (Juth) Football Club.

Paul Aigbogun’s men certainly showed no sign of missing influential midfielder, Emmanuel Omodiagbe, with Onyekachi Nelson netting the winner on 30 minutes.

After Nelson’s goal, Wolves defended strongly to end The Healers’ unbeaten start to the season.

Kano Pillars in spite of their one-nil win over Shooting Stars on Saturday at the Sani Abacha Stadium are fourth behind the Ibadan club, now in third position.

It was Joseph Atang Thompson’s first half strike that made the difference against Shooting Stars while the heroic saves of goalkeeper Laide Okanlawon made sure that the Oluyole Warriors were not ran over by Pillars in Kano.

However, there were two upsets in the top-flight on Saturday.

Champions, Enyimba, continued their struggling start to the season by losing to newcomers, Bukola Babes, in Offa by a lone goal after Audu Akeem scored in the 76th minute.

At the Ilaro stadium, Ayoola Moses’ fifth minute strike for Crown Football Club meant Kadiri Ikhana’s Kwara United suffered their second loss of the season.

Ikhana was said to be furious with the officiating by centre referee, B. Shamang, from Kaduna State.