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1. Enyimba 1 - 1 Rangers
Paul Aigbogun's men suffered a huge setback in their quest to retain the Nigeria league title after a disappointing home draw against the Flying Antelopes on Sunday, Enyimba were held to a 1-1 draw against Enugu Rangers in a Week 29 Nigeria Professional Football League tie played at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium on Sunday.
Godwin Aguda's strike forthe Flying Antelopes cancelled out Stephen Chukwude's early lead as the Paul Aigbogun's side saw their title dreams suffer a huge setback in Port Harcourt. Both sides went into the tie with high hopes of giving their title a boost . Enyimba started the contest brightly as Abu Azeez came close to snatching an early lead but his soft effort was denied by goalkeeper Ator Itodo in the 15th minute.
The cracking encounter witnessed several moments of midfield tussles and good defending till the 45th minute when the hosts broke the deadlock through Chukwude and before the half time break, Aguda leveled up for the visitors.
In the second half, Chisom Egbugulam's soft effort was saved by goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai in the 62nd minute to raise the visitors hope. In the 78th minute, Egbuchulam forced Afelokhai yet again to another finec save from a free kick. In the closing stages of the game, Enyimba made several late rallies but visiting keeper Itodo kept his side in the mix to ensure scoreline remain unchanged till full time.
Following the stalemate, Enyimba now have 41 points and remain seven points adrift of their visitors with two games in hand. However, Enugu Rangers moved atop with 48 points - a point above Wikki Tourists, who suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Akwa United.
2. Shooting Stars 2-1 Sunshine Stars
Shooting Stars fought back from a goal down to discard Sunshine Stars 2-1 in Ibadan. Two spot kicks was awarded to the hosts and Sunday Adetunji scored both to the Owena Waves got the lead through Meshack Chukwubuikem as he silenced the jam packed stadium with a fine strike from Michael Egbeta's assist.
Shooting Stars scored the equaliser with Adetunji netting from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute.
Adetunji scored what proved to be the winner with another spot kick at injury time. The win boosts Shooting Stars' position on the log as they moved further up to 14th with 36 points with the Owena Waves dropping to ninth position.
3. Nasarawa United 3-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
Nasarawa United picked up their 13th win of the Nigeria Professional Football League season, caging El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium on Saturday.
Tayo Fabiyi put the Solid Miners in front in the 33rd minute, twelve minutes after Esosa Igbinoba failed to score from the penalty spot. Abdulrahman Bashir then added a second before Fabiyi wrapped up victory with a brace for himself.
Nasarawa United coach Kabiru Dogo stuck to his guns, after a 2-2 draw with Ikorodu United last time out, fielding an attack-minded 4-4-2 formation and this time he was rewarded for the bold approach.
It was not long before the home side were outnumbering their opponents on the attack and the only way Kazeem Yekeen could find to save his team was to commit a foul in the 18th minute inside the penalty area. There was no red card punishment, though.
However Yekeen denied Igbinoba from the spot, diving to his right to make the save.
The Lafia-based outfit took the lead 12 minutes later, though, with Fabiyi heading the ball beyond Yekeen.
Yekeen kept the Desert Warriors in the game early in the second half when he denied Fabiyi in a one-on-one situation, but he was again powerless when Nasarawa United scored again in the 70th minute with Thomas setting up Bashir to make it two.
Fabiyi, who bagged the first goal of the game, put his name on the score-sheet again in the 86th minute, beating Yekeen with a volley.
4. Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Abia Warriors
Ten-man Niger Tornadoes put Abia Warriors to the sword following a 2-1 home win at the Confluence Stadium. Striker Uche Ihuarulam picked the ball and firmly planted it to the bottom corner in the fourth minute for the curtain raiser.
Tornadoes were dealt a terrible blow when young defender Gabriel Wassa was substituted after sustaining an hamstring injury late in the first half. After the break, Abia Warriors looked quiet sharper but could not break down the Tornadoes defence marshaled by Chinedu Nwanze and Abiodun Adebayo.
When Tornadoes were on top on their game again, playmaker Ifeanyi Okoye was sent off for a second bookable offense. Despite the numerical advantage, Abia Warriors found the Tornadoes back line hard to penetrate.
Tornadoes moved to 12th place, while Abia are 15th on the log.
5. MFM FC 0-1 Plateau United
MFM FC youngster Stephen Odey had a game to forget after he missed a spot kick as his side were pipped 1-0 by Plateau United at the Agege Stadium. Coach Fidelis Ikechukwu named a strong line up that had goalkeeper James Aiyeyemi in post with former youth international Ifeanyi Ifeanyi in midfield.
Despite the heavy build up and form from the home side it was Plateau United who had a strong start to the game and scored though Kabiru Umar. MFM responded with their own chance after twenty minutes through Odey but his penalty kick was saved by Isa Danladi.
The Olukoya Boys certainly begun the second half with purpose but Danladi pulled off two smart saves to keep the Jos side in the lead. Plateau United claimed possession and dictated the tempo to the delight of their fans.
MFM threw men forward in the last ten minutes of the game in search of an equalizer but tried as the they did a combination of masterful goalkeeping and resolute defending denied them.
6. Akwa United 3-0 Wikki Tourists
Akwa United secured an impressive 3-0 result as Wikki Tourists suffered their biggest loss of the campaign at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Hassan Babangida sent in a rebound eleven minutes into the one sided fixture in Uyo.
The Promise Keepers struck twice courtesy of Babangida and Ubong Friday to seal the victory.
The result changed the fortunes of the opposing sides in the table, Akwa tenth and the MA Boys second.
Crucially, though, Akwa kept their composure when it mattered, and secured a win that dealt a significant blow to Wikki's title hopes. Both clubs are in next weekend's action - Wikki Tourists are at home to Lobi Stars, while Akwa United travel to Abia Warriors.
7. Lobi Stars 3-0 Warri Wolves
Goals from Kingsley Eduwo, Patrick Ikeokwu and Raphael Ayagwa were enough for Lobi Stars to down Warri Wolves 3-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium.
Such a scoreline was barely conceivable early on as Lobi Stars started the match the better of the two teams. Lobi Stars were more clinical in an interesting game, with Eduwo doing well to get on the score-sheet.
Ikeokwu made his impact felt, scoring just as Wolves were pushing hard for their own equaliser to head home a scramble in the box. With ten minutes left on the clock, the massacre was complete thanks to Ayagwa's goal.
8. FC Ifeanyi Ubah 2-1 Kano Pillars
FC Ifeanyi Ubah needed a late penalty from Tamen Medrano to secure a 2-1 victory over Kano Pillars in Nnewi.
The ball was off the post after an audacious strike from Medrano six minutes into kickoff. In the 10th minute it was the turn of Jimoh Oni to test goalkeeper David Obiazo as the Anambra Warriors continued to dominate possession.
Ifeanyi Ubah were on the hunt for a second to give themselves a more comfortable lead early in the second half, but Gata had his headed effort saved by Obiazo. The result gives FC Ifeanyi Ubah 11 wins in as many outings in the Nigerian top flight this season, leaving them eight in the table, while Pillars sit fourth.
Shooting Stars fought back from a goal down to discard Sunshine Stars 2-1 in Ibadan. Two spot kicks was awarded to the hosts and Sunday Adetunji scored both to the Owena Waves got the lead through Meshack Chukwubuikem as he silenced the jam packed stadium with a fine strike from Michael Egbeta's assist.
Shooting Stars scored the equaliser with Adetunji netting from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute.
Adetunji scored what proved to be the winner with another spot kick at injury time. The win boosts Shooting Stars' position on the log as they moved further up to 14th with 36 points with the Owena Waves dropping to ninth position.
3. Nasarawa United 3-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
Nasarawa United picked up their 13th win of the Nigeria Professional Football League season, caging El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium on Saturday.
Tayo Fabiyi put the Solid Miners in front in the 33rd minute, twelve minutes after Esosa Igbinoba failed to score from the penalty spot. Abdulrahman Bashir then added a second before Fabiyi wrapped up victory with a brace for himself.
Nasarawa United coach Kabiru Dogo stuck to his guns, after a 2-2 draw with Ikorodu United last time out, fielding an attack-minded 4-4-2 formation and this time he was rewarded for the bold approach.
It was not long before the home side were outnumbering their opponents on the attack and the only way Kazeem Yekeen could find to save his team was to commit a foul in the 18th minute inside the penalty area. There was no red card punishment, though.
However Yekeen denied Igbinoba from the spot, diving to his right to make the save.
The Lafia-based outfit took the lead 12 minutes later, though, with Fabiyi heading the ball beyond Yekeen.
Yekeen kept the Desert Warriors in the game early in the second half when he denied Fabiyi in a one-on-one situation, but he was again powerless when Nasarawa United scored again in the 70th minute with Thomas setting up Bashir to make it two.
Fabiyi, who bagged the first goal of the game, put his name on the score-sheet again in the 86th minute, beating Yekeen with a volley.
4. Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Abia Warriors
Ten-man Niger Tornadoes put Abia Warriors to the sword following a 2-1 home win at the Confluence Stadium. Striker Uche Ihuarulam picked the ball and firmly planted it to the bottom corner in the fourth minute for the curtain raiser.
Tornadoes were dealt a terrible blow when young defender Gabriel Wassa was substituted after sustaining an hamstring injury late in the first half. After the break, Abia Warriors looked quiet sharper but could not break down the Tornadoes defence marshaled by Chinedu Nwanze and Abiodun Adebayo.
When Tornadoes were on top on their game again, playmaker Ifeanyi Okoye was sent off for a second bookable offense. Despite the numerical advantage, Abia Warriors found the Tornadoes back line hard to penetrate.
Tornadoes moved to 12th place, while Abia are 15th on the log.
5. MFM FC 0-1 Plateau United
MFM FC youngster Stephen Odey had a game to forget after he missed a spot kick as his side were pipped 1-0 by Plateau United at the Agege Stadium. Coach Fidelis Ikechukwu named a strong line up that had goalkeeper James Aiyeyemi in post with former youth international Ifeanyi Ifeanyi in midfield.
Despite the heavy build up and form from the home side it was Plateau United who had a strong start to the game and scored though Kabiru Umar. MFM responded with their own chance after twenty minutes through Odey but his penalty kick was saved by Isa Danladi.
The Olukoya Boys certainly begun the second half with purpose but Danladi pulled off two smart saves to keep the Jos side in the lead. Plateau United claimed possession and dictated the tempo to the delight of their fans.
MFM threw men forward in the last ten minutes of the game in search of an equalizer but tried as the they did a combination of masterful goalkeeping and resolute defending denied them.
6. Akwa United 3-0 Wikki Tourists
Akwa United secured an impressive 3-0 result as Wikki Tourists suffered their biggest loss of the campaign at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Hassan Babangida sent in a rebound eleven minutes into the one sided fixture in Uyo.
The Promise Keepers struck twice courtesy of Babangida and Ubong Friday to seal the victory.
The result changed the fortunes of the opposing sides in the table, Akwa tenth and the MA Boys second.
Crucially, though, Akwa kept their composure when it mattered, and secured a win that dealt a significant blow to Wikki's title hopes. Both clubs are in next weekend's action - Wikki Tourists are at home to Lobi Stars, while Akwa United travel to Abia Warriors.
7. Lobi Stars 3-0 Warri Wolves
Goals from Kingsley Eduwo, Patrick Ikeokwu and Raphael Ayagwa were enough for Lobi Stars to down Warri Wolves 3-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium.
Such a scoreline was barely conceivable early on as Lobi Stars started the match the better of the two teams. Lobi Stars were more clinical in an interesting game, with Eduwo doing well to get on the score-sheet.
Ikeokwu made his impact felt, scoring just as Wolves were pushing hard for their own equaliser to head home a scramble in the box. With ten minutes left on the clock, the massacre was complete thanks to Ayagwa's goal.
8. FC Ifeanyi Ubah 2-1 Kano Pillars
FC Ifeanyi Ubah needed a late penalty from Tamen Medrano to secure a 2-1 victory over Kano Pillars in Nnewi.
The ball was off the post after an audacious strike from Medrano six minutes into kickoff. In the 10th minute it was the turn of Jimoh Oni to test goalkeeper David Obiazo as the Anambra Warriors continued to dominate possession.
Ifeanyi Ubah were on the hunt for a second to give themselves a more comfortable lead early in the second half, but Gata had his headed effort saved by Obiazo. The result gives FC Ifeanyi Ubah 11 wins in as many outings in the Nigerian top flight this season, leaving them eight in the table, while Pillars sit fourth.