By George Akpayen
Rivers United wonderkid, Seiyefa Jackson, put up a gem of a performance as the Port Harcourt club saw off relegated Gombe United 6-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Saturday.
Seiyefa came off the bench on 63 minutes to replace Nyima Nwagua and needed 19 minutes to get among the goals with Rivers United already four goals up after Shedrack Asiegbu netted twice while Kazie Enyinnaya and Nwagua scored one each.
The young striker scored a brilliant individual goal for his first on 82 minutes when he held up play inside the box to shake off two Gombe United defenders and their goalkeeper Abubakar Adamu to make the scoreline 5-0 to Rivers United.
Six minutes later, he was on hand to make it 6-0 as he benefited from a sloppy defending by the away side to drill home his second goal of the match.
The goals take Seiyefa’s tally to three in five NPFL appearances for Rivers United since he was promoted to the club’s senior side this season.
The Lobi Stars versus Kwara United match also produced goals aplenty. Lobi Stars had to come from behind twice to win 4-3 at their adopted Lafia City Stadium home. Kwara United raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 12 minutes through Emmanuel Ogbole and Anthony Omaka.
Two goals from Lobi Stars in the space of five minutes through Waheed Adebayo and Francis Odinaka drew both teams level at 2-2 at halftime. Garba Abubakar restored Kwara United’s lead on 58 minutes but two late goals from Alao Danbani and Kumaga Suur earned Lobi the full points.
Doma United that began the season on a promising note are now facing relegation after suffering a two-nil defeat at Katsina United. Samson Olasupo and Azeez Falolu scored for Katsina United.
Already relegated, Heartland edge past Niger Tornadoes through a solitary strike from Chukwudi Esobe on 18 minutes.
Kano Pillars, perhaps, earned themselves a decent point in Jos after going a man down when Mustapha Salisu was sent off three minutes before the break for a dangerous challenge on Plateau United goalkeeper John Amah.
Rabiu Ali then stunned the home side giving Kano Pillars the lead on 62 minutes but it lasted just two minutes when Sam Pam Jr levelled the score for Plateau United.
The penultimate matchweek continues on Sunday with decisive matches involving title contenders, Rangers, 3SC, Remo Stars and champions Enyimba. At the other end of the standings, Sporting Lagos, Bayelsa United, Sunshine Stars and Akwa United will look to earn themselves decent results ahead of the final day in a bid to escape the drop.
MATCHDAY 37
Saturday results
Plateau United 1-1 Kano Pillars
Lobi Stars 4-3 Kwara United
Katsina United 2-0 Doma United
Rivers United 6-0 Gombe United
Heartland 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Sunday fixtures
Sporting Lagos v Enyimba
Sunshine Stars v Remo Stars