Kun Khalifat and Warri Wolves are surely the sides that would hog the headlines after Matchday 9 fixtures in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following their victories on the road at Bayelsa United and Enyimba respectively on Sunday.
Both promoted clubs put up gritty performances at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa and Enyimba Stadium in Aba to win by the odd goal.
Newcomers Kun Khalifat coming off their derby win over Enyimba in the last matchweek toon the lead at Bayelsa United through Uche Moses on 54 minutes – a lead that lasted eight minutes before Jawad Mustapha levelled the score from the spot for the home side.
Olabode Hassan came off the bench to score the winner for Kun Khalifat in the 77th minute as Obinna Uzoho’s win back to back to climb out of danger in the standings.
Just more than a hundred kilometres away from Yenagoa where Kun Khalifat were doing wonders, Warri Wolves claimed their third away win, the most by any club in the NPFL this season so far.
Wolves got their noses in front in the 18th minute when Enyimba defender Mohammed Hussaini turned the ball into his own net. Ten minutes later, Edidiong Ezekiel scored for Enyimba to level the score at 1-1.
Tejiri Emonena restored Wolves’ lead on 67 minutes and that turned out to be the winner as Enyimba succumbed to successive defeats.
TORNADOES SMASH PLATEAU UTD
It was a sweet matchweek for Niger Tornadoes who hit Plateau United four-nil at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna. Abdulaziz Dalhatu scored thrice while Terdoo Shimagande got the fourth in added time after the 90 minutes.
It is the second time Tornadoes are scoring four goals in a match after they had defeated Ikorodu City 4-2 last month in front of their supporters.
DALHATU NETS FIRST HAT-TRICK
Dalhatu has become the first player to score three goals in a single match this season. Dalhatu scored in the 13th, 52nd and 69th minute against Plateau United.
BARAU CLAIM BRAGGING RIGHTS IN KANO DERBY
In the first-ever Kano Derby in the NPFL, Ladan Bosso led Barau FC to a 2-1 triumph over Kano Pillars.
The Maliya Boys turned things around with second half goals from Yahaya Ibrahim and Stanley Oganbor after Rabiu Ali had given Kano Pillars the lead on 20 minutes.
Barau claim the bragging rights from the derby and the result leaves Kano Pillars bottom of the pile.
AWERORO’S 3SC GO FIVE UNBEATEN
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) extended their unbeaten run to five matches after seeing off Abia Warriors (W4 D1).
A goal in each from Ayobami Junior and Qamar Adegoke sealed a 2-0 win over Abia Warriors as Nurudeen Aweroro’s side move into second place behind table-toppers Nasarawa United.
OTHER MATCHES
Nasarawa United suffered their second defeat of the season. The Solid Miners were beaten two-nil at Ikorodu City with Chidera Oparaocha and Joseph Arumala scoring for City.
Jonas Emmanuel and Samaila Bello scored first half goals for El-Kanemi Warriors as they won 2-1 against Wikki Tourists in the Northeast Derby. Usman ‘Pepe’ Abdullahi got Wikki’s goal.
Kwara United left it late in Ilorin against Katsina United. Ibrahim Yahaya’s goal on 80 minutes proved sufficient for the Harmony Boys to claim the full points.