By George Akpayen
Matchday 3 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) produced a stunning set of results on Saturday and Sunday with none of the home teams claiming full points.
El-Kanemi Warriors, Niger Tornadoes, Remo Stars and Rivers United all won on the road at Nasarawa United, Plateau United, Kano Pillars and Lobi Stars respectively.
On Saturday, Rivers United despite playing second fiddle to Lobi Stars for larger spells of the game at the Lafia City Stadium needed inspiration off the bench to edge their hosts by the odd goal. Super-sub Kabir Abdullahi came off the bench and needed 18 minutes to score the winner from a follow-up after Lobi Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel could only manage to palm an initial shot into the striker’s path.
Lafia City Stadium appears to be a profitable ground for the away sides as El-Kanemi Warriors battled bravely to earn a stunning 4-3 win over Nasarawa United. Anas Yusuf fired Nasarawa United into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes but a crazy spell of eight minutes saw El-Kanemi turn the scoreline around. Salihu Nasir scored twice on 28 and 32 minutes and Al-Amin Umar netted on 35 minutes for the Warriors to go into the locker room with a 3-2 lead.
Anas levelled the score on 68 minutes for Nasarawa United thereby becoming the first player to score a hat-trick this season but his performance was not enough to earn his side even a point. El-Kanemi claimed the full points at the death when Bright Etaghara scored from the spot for the game to end 4-3.
Sunday’s matches will further produce surprising outcomes starting with Niger Tornadoes seeing off Plateau United in front of their fans at the New Jos Stadium. Ifeanyi Okechukwu and Kufre Ebong scored for Tornadoes before Sam Pam Jnr got what turned out to be a consolation goal as Plateau United lost 2-1.
Table-toppers Remo Stars continued with their perfect start to the season after defeating Kano Pillars 2-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. A goal in each from Sodiq Ismail and Franck Mawuena ensured Daniel Ogunmodede’s men have now taken nine points in their opening three matches without conceding.
The three other matches on Sunday ended in scoreless draws. New boys Ikorodu City got their first-ever point in the top division after playing out a 0-0 with Kwara United at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin in the day’s late kickoff. Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors shared the points at the Dipo Dina Stadium.
Bottom side Heartland could not breach visiting side, Katsina United, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri where it ended goalless. It means their head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, will have to wait a little longer for his first win in the NPFL.
Three matches involving champions Rangers, Enyimba and Bendel Insurance against Bayelsa United, Akwa United and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) have been rescheduled to October 2.