NPL Week 16 wrap

Enugu Rangers returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) log after their nervy win on Sunday while Enyimba continue to tail them.

In Ilorin, Kwara United and Jigawa Golden Stars produced six goals between them while 3SC capped the matchday by suspending their head coach, Festus Allen.

Kwara United 4 – 2 Jigawa Golden Stars

Kwara United restored themselves into the top half of the standings by defeating Jigawa Stars in a six-goal encounter with left-back Usman Amoda grabbing the opener. Bala Mohammed drew the Golden Stars level on 32 minutes before Kabiru Sanusi hit the first of his double just before half time. Moses Ogaga scored his first goal for Jigawa Stars to put the score at 2-2 and Segun Alebiosu scored in the 54th minute before Sanusi scored again six minutes later to earn United a 4-2 win.

Niger Tornadoes 1 – 0 Sharks

Sibi Gwar connected Daniel Essien Etor’s inch-perfect cross in the 37th minute to send Tornadoes from 12th to eighth place in the league table. Sharks are just a point above the bottom four after losing their eighth game of this season.

ABS FC 2 – 1 Lobi Stars

The Saraki Boys continued their superb run under caretaker coach, Kabir Sulaiman Dogo. Lobi Stars gave the hosts a scare when Iorwuese Utsaha scored a 42nd minute goal to hand the visiting club a goal lead. Thomas Zenke, who has been in impressive form lately, put ABS on even terms with Lobi on 69 minutes. And Abdulrahman Bashir scored the winner with two minutes remaining.

Enugu Rangers 2 – 1 Akwa United

Akwa United started off fastest in this game when Chukwudi Samuel got the opening goal on 14 minutes and Rangers’ talisman, Chikeluba Ofoedu (pictured) got the equalizer 13 minutes later. Okey Emordi’s men were made to work for the points before Haliru Umar got the winner on 87 minutes as Rangers climbed back to top spot in the NPL log.

Enyimba 1 – 0 Rising Stars

Newcomers Rising Stars had their hearts broken with a quarter of an hour left when Chinonso Okonkwo grabbed the only goal of the game to ensure that Enyimba continue to remain in the top three. It was Rising Stars’ fifth straight defeat, as they are now second from bottom.

Kaduna United 2 – 0 3SC

Kaduna United are now four points clear off the bottom four after beating 3SC two-nil. First half goals from Iliya Jibo and Peter Onoja gave the Kaduna side the points as 3SC are now 18th on the table. The Ibadan-based club have also told their head coach, Festus Allen to step down after three losses on the road.

Gombe United 1 – 0 Kano Pillars

Gombe United returned to the top four after battling to a one-nil win over Kano Pillars. In the absence of injured leading scorer, Mustapha Babadidi, coach Bernard Ogbe opted to start with Austin Ekpoma and Sanusi Sani in attack and Ekpoma netted the winner. Pillars slipped to third place after suffering their first loss in seven games.