Enugu Rangers continue to set the pace in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) and have now moved in front by a further three points ahead of the chasing pack.
Leading scorer, Mustapha Babadidi's ninth goal of the season was not enough to help Gombe United win their first game in four and end the unbeaten streak of ABS - now extended to four.
Enugu Rangers 4-0 Ocean Boys
Rangers raced into a three-point lead at the top of the log after beating Ocean Boys 4-0 in Enugu. Chikeluba Ofoedu, Ejike Uzoenyi got a goal each and new signings from Warri Wolves, Efe Yarhere and Oghogho Oduokpe completed the rout. Last season, Ocean Boys lost this same game 2-5.
Kwara United 2-2 Niger Tornadoes
Sibi Gwar gave his former team, Kwara United a torrid time in Abuja on Wednesday. Gwar scored on 34 minutes before Sheriff Jimoh equalised 10 minutes into the restart. It was Gwar again who put Tornadoes in front three minutes later but former Under17 player, Usman Amoda saved United the blushes as the game ended 2-2.
Wikki Tourists 1-0 Akwa United
Lone goal specialists, Wikki Tourists again secured a goal victory and this time against Akwa United. Mustapha Ibrahim's goal pushed Ladan Bosso's men into the top four while Akwa United still keep their place in the top half of the table.
Enyimba 0-0 Lobi Stars
Lobi Stars rubbished the form books and earned a point at the Enyimba stadium against all odds. In spite of dropping points Enyimba remain second on the log but three points behind leaders, Enugu Rangers.
Kano Pillars 4-0 Sharks
For the second time this season, the Blue Angels suffer a four-nil defeat in the north - the first being at Gombe United. Gambo Muhammad got a double while Nafiu Ibrahim and Siman Yusuf were the other scorers as Kano Pillars romped to a 4-0 win to stay in third.
Dolphins 1-1 Heartland
Tough-tackling midfielder, Abdul Haruna scored for the second week as Heartland were held to a 1-1 draw by Dolphins in Port Harcourt. Ghanaian Owusu Addae got Dolphins' goal, as the champions are now six points off top spot but with an outstanding game.
Kaduna United 2-1 Warri Wolves
It was a lack-lustre performance from Wolves, as Belgian coach Maurice Cooreman faced his former team, Kaduna United. Buhari Jafar scored from the spot in the 11th minute and doubled the lead 45 minutes later. Wolves' substitute, Gift Atuliwa fired home a free-kick with a quarter of an hour left.
In spite of the win, Kaduna United still remain in the bottom four.
Rising Stars 0-3 Sunshine Stars
The Ondo derby turned out to be one-sided as Sunshine Stars romped to a three-goal win over rivals, Rising Stars. Two first half goals from Dele Olorundare and Atanda Sakibu netted the third. Sunshine Stars are in the top half following this win.
3SC 1-0 Jigawa Golden Stars
It was not the best of performance from Festus Allen's 3SC as they toiled to earn the points. Former Enyimba man, Kingsley Elvis scored the only goal off a Tare Oke long throw just before the break.
3SC now have 17 points while the Golden Stars remain rooted to the bottom of the standings.
Gombe United 1-1 ABS FC
The impressive start of Gombe United to the season looks to have waned as they dropped points to ABS, who are now unbeaten in four games. Babadidi opened score for the hosts on 24 minutes to take his total goals to nine this term before Andrew Abalogwu pulled ABS level on 89 minutes.
ABS had earlier had two of their goals chalked off by the match officials.
I am very suspicious of the sponsors and intentions of the post-match crisis in Enugu.
ReplyDeleteI have watched the tv footage over and over,and am still confused if this wasn’t more of a well rehearsed and choreographed nollywood act .
Yes,there were one or two Heartland shirt-wearing guys kicking into the air and moving in the direction of the referee,but having observed crowd violence in this country over three decades,I cannot be fooled by that charade.
In this country,if the home team wants to unleash violence,they do it with total alacrity:It is not something the police would quell in just a few minutes,not to talk of arresting anybody.What I saw on Sunday was Heartland officials ferociously protecting the match officials against the so-called attackers(I saw no weapons).Other observers have also confirmed that the Heartland players actually gave out their jerseys to disguise the referee and his assistants for safety.
The Nigerian leaque is not yet well structured to be able to distinguish club supporters on the basis of jerseys. In any case the okrika versions of these jerseys are sold in most mammy markets anyway.
The fact that this match was played in Enugu,a venue where both teams would readily consider second home is most significant. Even the real home team of Enugu,the great Rangers FC shares strong and deep-rooted cultural similarities with both Heartland and Enyimba.In the leaque however,Rangers will consider the two combatants as their major competitors.
I totally condemn crowd violence,but this one? E get as e be !
I read in the news this morning that the NPL,apparently having considered Heartland guilty,have banished the Owerri-based team to Calabar.This is nothing short of comedy.I am pretty familiar with the major routes in the east and I know that when a Calabar man travelling from Lagos reaches Owerri he begins to say thanksgiving prayers to God for a safe journey.
The distance between Owerri-Calabar is not significantly different from Owerri-Enugu;less than three hours.Obviously there is a comedian somewhere in the NPL.