NPFL Match Day 3 Results: Abia Warriors stun Heartland, rise to league summit

A second-half goal by Michael Olaha was enough for the Umuahia-based side to bag the full three points and earned the traditional Oriental bragging rights.

Substitute Olaha was once again the savior for the away side as he repeated the heroics that condemned El-Kanemi Warriors to defeat in the midweek.

Kano Pillars 2-1 Wikki Tourists
At the Sani Abachi Stadium, Kano Pillars survived a late scare to condemn Wikki Tourists to a 2-1 defeat on Sunday.

Lively former Sunshine Stars forward Prince Aggreh headed home a Rabiu Ali corner kick leaving Emeka Nwabulu in goal for Wikki Tourists with no chance to open the scoring in the 19th minute. The enterprising Ifeanyi Matthew doubled Pillars advantage in the 64th minute after expertly finishing off a sweet Gambo Mohammed through ball.

But the deficit was soon halved after Wikki Tourists’ Idris Guda Mohammed was brought down in the 18 yard box. Mubarak Umar made no mistake from the spot roofing his effort past Obiazo to give the visitors a lifeline with over 20 minutes of play left.

Wikki poured forward in search of a late equalizer but Pillars buoyed by a vociferous crowd that had in attendance the Kano governor, Dr. Abubakar Umar Ganduje, hanged on to pick a vital win and all three points.

Putting in a man-of-the-match performance, Wasiu Jimoh opened the scoring as early as the 4th minute after a horrendous howler from the MFM goalkeeper. He grabbed his brace in the 19th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 36th minute of the encounter.

Rivers United 2-0 Ifeanyi Ubah
At the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers United thrashed visiting Ifeanyi Ubah by 2-0.

Pint-sized midfielder Fredrick Obomate was the inspiration behind the win for the Port Harcourt first setting up full back Chigozie Ihunda for the opening goal in first half stoppage time before the former Sharks schoolboy sealed the victory with a diving header on 56 minutes.

Kabir Balogun scored the only goal of the game.

It was the first league win for Ikorodu United who drew their first match against Abia Warriors and have a match in hand.

The Oga Boys have now amassed four points, three points below league leaders Abia Warriors. While, Lobi Stars have six points from a possible nine.