Monday, March 12, 2012

NPL Week 13 Wrap

Twenty-six goals were scored at the weekend on Matchday 13 of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) with Enyimba snatching a big win over their rivals, Heartland. But the game at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu sadly ended with crowd trouble.

Enugu Rangers hold firm to top spot with Enyimba hot on their heels while Ocean Boys, ABS, Jigawa Golden Stars and Kaduna United are the bottom-four sides.


Niger Tornadoes 1-1 Enugu Rangers
Ejike Uzoenyi showed that his performance at Rwanda recently in the 2013 Afcon qualifying was no fluke when he volleyed Rangers in front in spectacular fashion on 27 minutes. Former Kwara United man, Sibi Gwar drew Tornadoes level just before the break.

Rangers stay top of the standings with 23 points while Tornadoes are 14th with 15 points.


Sharks 1-0 Kwara United
A goal at the death by Hope Fiberesima condemned all the good work of Kwara United at the Sharks Stadium on Saturday. Sharks remain outside of the top half while Kwara United drop one spot - from fifth to sixth position on the table.


ABS FC 2-2 Kano Pillars
It was a four-goal thriller at Ilorin. Nasir Ali fired Pillars in front on 13 minutes before Yau Hassan equalised for the hosts three minutes later from the spot. Just before the break, Rabiu Ali restored Pillars' lead but it was Thomas Zenke's 75th minute goal that denied Baba Ganaru's men an away win.

Kano Pillars are now third while ABS are third from bottom.


Heartland 2-3 Enyimba
This game lived up to its pre-match hype. Heartland raced into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes through Kabir Umar and Abdul Haruna. But the Cup holders lost their lead with just 15 minutes to the break after failing to deal with dead-balls. Chinonso Okonkwo and Nzube Anazemba got the goals and a flying header by unarguably Enyimba's best player on the day, Henry Uche sealed a historic win in the southeast derby that was marred by violence.


Lobi Stars 2-1 Rising Stars
Kayode Agboola scored for Rising Stars on 14 minutes and Moses Orkuma put the hosts on level terms before Gabriel Adikwu's goal in the second 45 minutes made sure Lobi Stars earned the points.

Both clubs are currently in the bottom half of the league table.


Sunshine Stars 2-0 Kaduna United
As expected Sunshine Stars defeated Kaduna United with goals in each half from Izu Azuka and captain Godfrey Oboabona, as the hosts climb into the top half while Kaduna United replace Jigawa Golden Stars at the base of the log.


Jigawa Golden Stars 2-1 Wikki Tourists
This win for the hosts only lifted them off bottom place. Bala Mohammed netted on 21 minutes for the Golden Stars and it took Wikki 54 minutes to drew level through Abubakar Umar. But defender Chigozie Maurice's late goal got the points for the hosts.


Akwa United 1-0 3SC
The hosts should have won by more than a goal but were guilty of being wasteful. It was, however, Olumide Ojedeji's first half goal that secured the points for Akwa United against a poor 3SC side in Calabar.

Akwa United are seventh with 18 points and 3SC are a point and two places above the drop zone.


Warri Wolves 1-1 Dolphins
Adaji Hussein's 21st minute goal stunned fans of Warri Wolves as champions Dolphins went into a goal lead at the break. Wolves fought back and earned a spot kick converted by Gift Atiluwa.

Dolphins keep their fourth spot intact with a game in hand and Maurice Cooreman's team occupy the eighth spot.


Ocean Boys 2-1 Gombe United
The Divine Warriors still remain in the bottom four in spite defeating Gombe United on Sunday in Yenagoa. Abdul Yekini Jeleel's first half goal unsettled the hosts before Emmanuel Enize equalised from the spot and Ugonna Ezenwaka scored the winner with three minutes to time. Gombe United dropped to fifth position on the log.

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