Dolphin move into top spot

Kano Pillars v Bukola Babes © 4to-sports.com

Former Nigerian champions, Dolphin Football Club of Port Harcourt, have gone top of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) after Saturday’s lone goal win over Enugu Rangers at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Dolphin will remain top of the Premier League log until Enyimba, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Niger Tornadoes – all winners on the opening day – play their second games of the season on Sunday.

It was Omoh Ojabu’s strike on 82 minutes that broke the deadlock against the Flying Antelopes and ensured that Dolphin continue with their 100 per cent record in this season’s campaign.

The win over Rangers now puts Dolphin on six points and two points clear of the chasing pack.

Gombe United who were leaders on the opening day had to claw their way back from a goal down to earn a point off Jos University Teaching Hospital (Juth) Football Club at the Rwang Pam Stadium.

Juth had taken the lead through Ghanaian James Amankwei, who scored his second goal of the season just two minutes into the second half before Lazarus Chukwu levelled the game 14 minutes later.

At the Offa Township Stadium, Kadiri Ikhana’s men failed to hold on to a one-goal lead against Kaduna United at half time after teenage recruit from the Kwara Football Academy, Barnabas Imenger, struck just four minutes to the break.

However, Emmanuel Bivan scored the equaliser for Kaduna United 14 minutes after the restart for the game to end one apiece to the disappointment of Kwara United fans.

Newcomers, Crown Football Club, fought their way back against an experienced Warri Wolves to take a point at the Ilaro Stadium.

Ekigbo Ehiosun’s strike on half the hour for Wolves was cancelled out by Harrison Egbune just 15 minutes to full time from a goal-mouth melee.

The other win on Saturday was in Kano, where former Bayelsa United man, Mannir Ubale, saved Kano Pillars the blushes with his effort to make sure that the side remained within touching distance of leaders, Dolphin.