NPFL MD 2 Roundup: George Finidi’s Enyimba crumble in Gombe, Plateau outclass Heartland, Shooting Stars suffer in Benin

Seven matches were played in the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday to add to the three already settled on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

At the Pantami Township Stadium in Gombe, Gombe United taught defending champions Enyimba and head coach George Finidi a harsh football lesson after claiming an impressive 2-0 win.

A goal late in either half from Alakwe Chijioke and Ahmed Jimoh was all the home side needed to send the Aba Elephants back on their way with an empty purse.

Bernard Mundi’s spectacular overhead kick goal in the 12th minute was enough for Plateau United to register their first win of the season and shoot down Heartland FC 1-0 at the Jos International Stadium.

Fans at the Lafia Township Stadium witnessed an entertaining five-goal thriller as Lobi Stars soared to a 3-2 triumph over visiting Sunshine Stars.

After a goalless first half, Lobi Stars, who scored twice in a fine 2-2 draw at Heartland on matchday one, took a two-goal lead courtesy of a Samuel Tiza brace.

Sunshine Stars responded briefly through Taiwo Abdulrafiu, but Ajibola Adeleke restored Lobi’s two-goal advantage five minutes from time, ensuring that Michael Olulasi’s late finish for the visitors was but mere consolation.

Niger Tornadoes ended their poor run of form from last season as they registered a narrow 1-0 win over Rivers United at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna. Bashir Usman scored the only goal of the encounter from the penalty spot with only seven minutes on the clock. 

Newly promoted Sporting Lagos picked up the only positive result for any away side in the league this weekend as they secured a goalless draw at Akwa United.

With four points from their first two games, Sporting Lagos sit atop the league table.

There was no hiding place for Abia Warriors at the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin, where Kwara United banked on Isaiah Ejeh’s strike on the dot of halftime to claim a slim 1-0 victory.

A fiercely contested battle in Ikenne ended in favour of Remo Stars as the home team came from behind to seal a 2-1 win over Enugu Rangers.

Earlier on Saturday, Doma United sent Bayelsa United to the cleaners after dragging them through the mud and extracting a 2-0 win from their bag.

Shooting Stars suffered a similar fate at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, where Bendel Insurance forced a 2-0 defeat down the throat of the Oluyole Warriors.

In the hugely-anticipated Northern derby, Kano Pillars showed fans why they are the pride of the region as Maisu Gida picked the pockets of Katsina United to register a 1-0 win.