Heartland and Ikorodu City earned themselves outstanding results in Sunday’s fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) against Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) respectively.
The Naze Millionaires were forced to a 2-2 draw by Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano in a contest that produced all goals in the second half.
Suraju Lawal scored twice for Heartland while Rabiu Ali and Ahmed Musa netted for the Kano club who dropped points at home on their return to their original ground at the Sani Abacha Stadium after playing their previous home matches at Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Heartland have now extended their run of undefeated matches to four after their poor start to the season.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena Stadium, NPFL newcomers, Ikorodu City turned things around against 3SC after trailing 1-0 at halftime to Anthony Okachi’s goal. City needed just 14 minutes into the restart to level the score through Shola Adelani’s headed effort.
Rivio Ayemwenre, who came off the bench at the start of the second half, scored the winner two minutes before full-time. Ayemwenre got on the end of Austin Harrison Uzondu’s cross to head home what turned out to be the winning goal in the club’s first-ever Southwest Derby involvement.
The 2-1 win over 3SC have pushed Ikorodu City into eighth place on the standings with 17 points.
About 74 kilometres away from Lagos, Remo Stars and Rivers United were involved in the top-of-the-table clash at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. The meeting of the top-two ended in a 0-0 draw.
Sunday’s early kickoff in Maiduguri ended with El-Kanemi Warriors claiming victory over Niger Tornadoes by the odd goal. Ibrahim Mustapha’s strike was enough to seal a fourth win for the Borno club who are now fifth on the league table.
Two second half goals from Emmanuel Ogbole ensured Kwara United handed Plateau United a 2-0 defeat at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin. The Jos are now on a run of three matches without a win.
NPFL champions, Rangers, faced a late scare in their matchup against Cup holders, Bendel Insurance after racing to a 3-0 lead inside the opening 60 minutes. Godwin Obaje (21’), Frank Uwumiro (39’) and Effimi Nsi (55’) scored for the Flying Antelopes and it already looked game, set and match.
Two goals in the final 25 minutes from Bendel Insurance duo of Anthony Nnamdi (66’) and Uchenna Collins (88’) left the scoreline respectable as the champions held on for a win to move into the top-four.
Promise Awosanmi’s goal on 49 minutes turned out to be the winner as Sunshine Stars edged past Lobi Stars at their Dipo Dina Stadium home ground in Ijebu-Ode
The Abia Derby ended in a share of points between Abia Warriors and Enyimba. The match ended 1-1 at the Umuahia Township Stadium. Clinton Jephta opened scoring on nine minutes for Enyimba and that lead lasted only 17 minutes as Adejoh Ojonugwa drew Warriors level.
Taofeek Ahmed became the first player to score on the road this season for Katsina United who earned for themselves a point at Bayelsa United after a 1-1 draw. Rabiu Abdullahi had fired the Bayelsa club in front on 73 minutes before they surrendered their lead late in the contest. Earlier in the second half, Bayelsa United’s Yahaya Ibrahim failed to score from the spot when his spot kick came off the woodwork.
A day earlier on Saturday, Akwa United saw off Nasarawa United 1-0 at the Nest of Champions in Uyo. Paul Acquah scored on 34 minutes but the Promise Keepers finished the final 20 minutes with 10 players after Reuben Bala was sent off for a second booking.
MATCHDAY 12 RESULTS
Akwa United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Paul Acquah 34’
El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Mustapha Ibrahim 52’
Kano Pillars 2-2 Heartland
Rabiu Ali 57’, Ahmed Musa 75’ – Suraju Lawal 51’, 60’
Kwara United 2-0 Plateau United
Emmanuel Ogbole 68’, 75’
Rangers 3-2 Bendel Insurance
Godwin Obaje 21’, Frank Uwumiro 39’, Effimi Nsi 55’ – Anthony Nnamdi 66’, Uchenna Collins 85’
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Lobi Stars
Promise Awosanmi 49’
Abia Warriors 1-1 Enyimba
Adejoh Ojonugwa 26’ – Clinton Jephta 9’
Remo Stars 0-0 Rivers United
Bayelsa United 1-1 Katsina United
Rabiu Abdullahi 73’ – Taofeek Ahmed 84’
Ikorodu City 2-1 3SC
Shola Adelani 59’, Rivio Ayemwenre 88’ – Anthony Okachi 14’