NPL Week 19 wrap

The first round of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) ends with Kano Pillars on top after Enugu Rangers and Enyimba suffered defeats at the weekend.

For the second successive season, ABS found no joy in Port Harcourt as Sharks brought to an end their unbeaten streak while the bottom two places are still occupied by newcomers, Jigawa Golden Stars and Rising Stars.

Sharks 2-1 ABS FC

The Blue Angels stopped ABS from making it 10 games unbeaten. Last season Dolphins halted ABS' run after eight games unbeaten. Bernard Okorowanta and Gomo Onduku scored inside one hour for Sharks before Abdulrahman Bashir reduced the margin as the hosts remain in the top five while ABS are sixth.

3SC 1-0 Enyimba

Enyimba suffered a sixth defeat this season as 3SC left-back, Mutiu Adegoke rifled a 30-yard free kick on 79 minutes past goalkeeper Chinedu Agwu making his debut for the away team. 3SC are now a point above the drop zone.

Rising Stars 2-1 Gombe United

In spite of this win Rising Stars remain rooted at the base of the NPL standings. Kayode Agboola opened score on 49 seconds before Shedrack Francis made it two inside five minutes of the game. It took Gombe United more than an hour to break the backline of Rising Stars as Sanusi Sani scored his eighth goal of the season.

Kano Pillars 3-1 Kaduna United

Gambo Mohammed's double gave Kano Pillars a two-goal lead at half time. Kaduna United fought back with a goal from Ya'u Abdullahi but Nasiru Ali scored the insurance goal for the hosts with 14 minutes remaining. Pillars lead by 32 points and edge Rangers on superior goals difference.

Lobi Stars 2-1 Kwara United

Abdulkadir Olokoba gave Kwara United a shock lead in Katsina-Ala but Lobi stormed back through David Tyavkase on 15 minutes. A 77th minute penalty scored by Moses Bunde gave the home team all points, as both sides take their places outside the top half of the log.

Jigawa Golden Stars 1-0 Enugu Rangers

Rangers missed the chance of staying top of the standings till the end of the first round as they lost to Jigawa Golden Stars via a Jonathan Oduh's solitary strike in the first half.

Warri Wolves 2-0 Niger Tornadoes

Jude Aneke should have scored at least a hat-trick in this game but he ended up with a double to give Wolves a two-nil win in their second game in the space of 48 hours in all competitions. The NPL record goalscorer has scored five goals this term for Wolves.