Plateau United FC returned to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) summit on Sunday after defeating visiting Wikki Tourists 1-0 in Match-day 17 fixtures at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.
The hero of the game was Reuben Bala who scored from the penalty in the 57th minute to hand his side the three maximum points that has taken them back to the NPFL .
Former leaders Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) FC dropped two places to 3rd position after they were surprisingly beaten 4-0 by Nasarawa United in Lafia. Adamu Hassan opened scoring for the home team quite early in less than one minutes into the game.
Yinka Onaolapo doubled the lead in the 61st minute, Anthonin Oussou made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute, before Abdulrahman Bashir completed the rout against the Olukoya Boys in the 86th minute of the game.
In the Oriental Derby clash, Enyimba overturned an early strike by Daniel Etor to beat Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers 2-1 at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar through goals from Stephen Chukwude and Mfon Udoh.
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) were thrashed 4-2 by hosts Akwa United. Friday Ubong scored first for the Promise Keepers 11 minutes into the game, before Alhassan Ibrahim netted hat-trick in the 28th, 36th and 44th minutes respectively. Moses James and Taiwo Shittu reduced the tally for the Oluyole Warriors in the 58th and 90th minutes, as the game ended 4-2 at full time.
El-Kanemi Warriors defeated former champions Kano Pillars FC 1-0 at the Maiduguri Township Stadium. Mathias Samuel scored the only goal in the 53rd minute. Substitute Dufegha Eric scored late in the 89th minute as Remo Stars defeated Katsina United 1-0 at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu on Sunday.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah turned the tide by scoring late winner against Sunshine Stars of Akure at the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Nnewi. Joseph Abbey opened scoring for the visitors in the 64th minute, last season’s top-scorer, Godwin Obaje equalized for Anambra Warriors in the 77th minute, before Seka Pascal scored the match-winner on the stroke of 90 minutes after Prince Aggrey lost a penalty earlier in the game.
10-man Gombe United compounded the relegation worries of Rivers United FC after the Port Harcourt side lost 1-0 at the Pantami Stadium. Sani Suleiman scored the only goal in the 26th minute to give the Manu Garba tutored side vital home win.
Abia Warriors defeated Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC 2-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium. Lobi Stars fell 2-1 to Niger Tornadoes in a keenly contested affair.
NPFL Match-day 17 Results:
Nasarawa United 4-0 MFM
Plateau United 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Enyimba 2-1 Enugu Rangers
Remo Stars 1-0 Katsina United
FC IfeanyiUbah 2-1 Sunshine Stars
El-kanemi Warriors 1-0 Kano Pillars
Abia Warriors 2-0 ABS FC
Akwa United 4-2 3SC
Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Lobi Stars
Gombe United 1-0 Rivers United
Standings (Top 4):
1. Plateau United 32 points
2. El-kanemi Warriors 30 points
3. MFM FC 30 points
4. Niger Tornadoes 27 points
Standings (Bottom 4):
17. Wikki Tourists 18 points
18. Sunshine Stars 18 points
19. Rivers United 15 points
20. Enugu Rangers 13 points
