Nigeria Professional Football League: Match day 17 Round-up

On a match day that saw four centers recording minimum of three goals each, Enyimba’s nine match undefeated streak halted in Warri, Sharks of Port Harcourt was the biggest winner of the day and former junior international, Christian Pyagbara is perhaps the scorer that will be most celebrated as his 24th minute strike in Ilorin against hosts, Kwara United ended Sharks 13 match winless run.
Sharks last won the maximum three points in a game since March 22nd when they piped Akwa United 1-0 in Port Harcourt. Pyagbara turned in the ball off a goalmouth scramble and the win lifted Sharks two places to 18th, the first time they will be off the bottom spot since Match Day 12 when they swapped places with Lobi Stars. The bad day for Kwara United was completed when Dare Ojo failed to score from a 41 minute penalty. It was Kwara United’s third home defeat this season which has pushed the Afonja Warriors to lead the bottom four teams on 17th place.
Shooting Stars, Abia Warriors, Heartland and Rangers went on scoring spree in their home games banging in three goals against their visitors.
Gbenga Ogunbote extended his invincibility at the Lekan Salami Stadium and against Giwa FC, he posted an emphatic and commanding performance that left the hitherto strong unit of the Jos-based side in shreds. Ajani Ibrahim initiated the club’s hat trick of goals on the 19th minute and completed a brace 16 minutes after while Najeem Olukokun within another five minutes completed the route in a quick fire action that deflated the Giwa players.
At the Rojenny Stadium, Bright Ejike notched his 10th goal of the season, the first player to hit double digit goals in this season as Heartland pushed down Dolphins further down the log in a 3-1 win. Collins Nwaneri tapped in from close range on the 4th minute after Dolphins goalkeeper, Godwin Ayalogu failed to deal with Ebere Odiche’s thunder from the spot 25 yards off. Dolphins Ghana import, Godbless Asamoah leveled scores eight minutes into the restart and would eventually be expelled from the game for a second bookable offense. With 12 minutes left on the clock in regulation time, Emeka Ogbugh restored Heartland’s lead while top draw, Ejike popped up in added time to double the lead.
Rangers recorded another three goals score line in a 3-1 defeat of Lobi Stars at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. After a scoreless first half which saw Lobi defending well to keep the Flying Antelopes at bay, Matthew Etim opened scoring six minutes on and after eight minutes, Godwin Aguda doubled the lead, finishing neatly. An own goal by Shehu Nasir on 65th minute completed Lobi Star’s misery not made any milder by Arinze Obioma’s 89th consolatory effort.
Abia Warriors again demonstrated how comfortable they have grown at the Enyimba International Stadium as they followed up their last match day’s 2-2 draw against Enyimba on that turf with a 3-1 dismantling of FC Taraba. The game was initially fought on even keel with Abia Warriors’ 19th minute goal through Valentin Nwabili cancelled our 14 minutes later by Ibrahim Sanusi. Then Abia Warriors returned for the second half on the offensive, netting their second through hardworking Ndifreke Effiong who headed in a pointed cross from Bolaji Sakin. Effiong got his brace six minutes after, flashing in a free kick from 20 yards.
Enyimba lost their three season’s undefeated showing at the Warri Township stadium thanks to goals from Gbolahan Salami and Abu Azeez. But it was a stroll in the park as the People’s Elephant did launch an instant fight back after Salami’s 43rd minute goal, responding through Christian Obiozor from the penalty spot exactly a minute after going behind. Azeez’ ferocious drive from the edge of the box on 65th minute allocated all three points to Warri Wolves and displaced Enyimba from second spot to third.
Wikki Tourists moved into second place after beating El-Kanemi Warriors 2-1 with goals from Mubarak Umar (20’) and Chukwudi Samuel from the penalty spot on 57th minute. Umar had been bundled down inside the box and Samuel made no mistake. A late rally from El-Kanemi only yielded a Samuel Adetunji goal four minutes from full time.
League leaders, Sunshine Stars extended their stay at the top following a 2-0 defeat of Bayelsa United at the Akure Township Stadium. Eduwo Kingsley scored the fasted goal of the day with just 60 seconds of game time played. Tunde Adeniji got the second on 69th minute to bring their total points haul to 33, one ahead of second placed Wikki Tourists.
A listless performance at the Uyo International Stadium Nest of Champions sank defending champions; Kano Pillars lower on the log to 9th place. Davies Ukeme’s lone goal of the match on 18th minute meant the champions have lost eight games on the road. The result even flattered their performance as goalkeeper Theophillus Afelokhai’s brave showings kept the score that low.
Nasarawa United and FC Ifeanyi Ubah recorded the only stalemate of the day as they ended 1-1.