Enugu Rangers 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Enugu Rangers needed a 45th minute goal from Godwin Aguda to beat Wikki Tourists 1-0 on Saturday at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium.
This was another impressive display from Imama Amakpakabo’s side but they failed to convert most of the chances created.
Victory against Wikki Tourists have always been difficult to come by for Rangers but this was somehow a performance that deserves commendation.
Wikki had goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu to thank for not conceding in the opening 40 minutes of the game but pressure from Rangers yielded dividends as they scored to bag the points in Enugu.
The Flying Antelopes are on top of the twenty-team table with ten points after five rounds of matches.
El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 Enyimba FC
El-Kanemi Warriors finally registered their first maximum points of the season as they humbled Enyimba International Football Club 2-0 at the Karkanda Stadium.
The loss further asked questions on the technical competence of Paul Aigbogun to manage the technical bench of Enyimba.
Former Plateau United striker Chinedu Ohanachom was a handful of some sorts on a number of occasions to the away team’s defence line with his skills.
In the 13th minute, a good move by Warriors saw Isaac Hele set-up Ohanachom, who comfortably sent the ball beyond Theophilus Afelokhai.
A great passage of play was initiated by with Ohanachom once again involved but Enyimba cleared their lines.
Ladan Bosso’s team were once again rewarded as Ibrahim Mustapha scored from a goal-mouth scramble.
The second half was cagey, as Warriors held on to a well-earned victory.
Kano Pillars 3-2 Akwa United
Rabiu Ali became the second player to grab a hat-trick, as his one-man show ensured that Kano Pillars defeated Akwa United 3-2 at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
The intelligent playmaker helped the former NPFL champions edge the Promise Keepers in the five-goal thriller.
Akwa United would have felt they should have played at least a draw after former Kano Pillars winger Ubong Ekpai was sent off in the classic match.
Pillars were extremely wasteful upfront as they struggled to turn their superior ball possession into goals especially in the opening eight minutes.
Their profligacy was severely punished in the 11th minute by Michael Ibe after a defensive error from the hosts.
Pillars however overturned their wasteful early minutes performance into a more purposeful and clinical one to equalize through the reliable Rabiu Ali.
The hosts were in the lead some minutes to the half hour mark when Prince Aggrey threaded an assist to Rabiu Ali who made no mistake with his execution.
There was still more in the offing from the away side as Ubong Ekpai who was later sent to the showers levelled the score line.
First half of the thrilling battle ended 2-2 with league fans expecting more from the two teams in the second stanza.
Rabiu Ali had more in his armoury and he delivered his third of the afternoon.
Ubong Ekpai made the game complicated for Maurice Cooreman’s side when he was red carded for handling the ball in the 67th minute.
There was no way back for Akwa United as Pillars won the entertaining encounter 3-2 in Kano.
Sunshine Stars 1-1 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Sunshine Stars failed to end their miserable run in the top flight as they held FC Ifeanyi Ubah to a 1-1 draw at the Akure Township Stadium.
The game, which was full of drama, produced two late goals on Sunday.
The two sides went into the interval goalless, but both threatened to break the deadlock in the second half.
However, the away team took the lead as Okereke Maduabuchi finished off a sweet counter attack in the 86th minute of action.
The hosts rallied and got a goal at the sixth minute of injury time.
Heartland FC 1-0 Lobi Stars
Fortune Omoniwari scored the only goal of the game to hand Heartland FC a 1-0 victory over Lobi Stars in a NPFL fixture at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was the first win of the season for the Naze Millionaires in the 2016 season.
Heartland went ahead when Onyebuchi Ajunwa picked Omoniwari out with a cross and the former Sharks striker made no mistake in heading home the opening goal against the Pride of Benue in the 44th minute.
The hosts were able to hang onto their lead without much difficulty in the second half as they sealed the three points which could be an invaluable one to their campaign.
Plateau United 1-1 Abia Warriors
10-man Abia Warriors deservedly earned a 1-1 draw against Plateau United at the Rwang Pam Stadium.
Plateau United broke the deadlock when Victor Namo reacted quickest to Sunday Ngbede’s pass and found the target from close range.
Abia Warriors started the second half with a bang and restored parity 10 minutes after the restart.
Former Bayelsa United striker Uche Ihuarulam headed home a cross.
Kennedy Boboye’s boys were down to ten men when Austin Oboaroapo was sent off for handling the ball at injury time.
The hosts were awarded a spot-kick by the referee. However, evergreen John Gaadi turned out to be the hero as he saved Charles Okafor’s kick and helped his team secure a draw in Jos.
Shooting Stars 2-1 Giwa FC
Shooting Stars narrowly edged Giwa FC 2-1 at the Lekan Salami Stadiu to record back-to-back home wins in the Nigeria’s top flight.
The home side started strongly and put the away side under pressure immediately after the kickoff.
They were in front from an unlikely source after two minutes, as central defender Izu Joseph saw his effort zoom past Olorunleke Ojo in goal for the Jos Elephants.
Giwa FC defender Aminu Mbai got the marching orders in the 81st minute.
Shooting Stars increased their advantage with four minutes left in the game through Kabiru Umar.
Old warhorse Isiaka Olawale took advantage of the ball watching Shooting Stars defence line to reduce the deficit in the dying moments of the entertaining fixture.
Warri Wolves 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Warri Wolves held on to secure a 1-0 win over a stubborn Niger Tornadoes side at the Warri City Stadium.
An early strike from Achibi Ewenike made the difference in the week five clash.
All efforts by the Lolo Boys to fight back proved abortive.
Rivers United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Rivers United got back to winning ways in the NPFL with a 1-0 victory over Nasarawa United thanks to a late goal from Godbless Asamoah at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
The result further compounded the woes of the Solid Miners who are winless in the ongoing league campaign.
Nasarawa held the hosts for 90 minutes, but former Medeama star Asamoah broke their hearts with the winner at injury time.
The Pride of Rivers held firm to keep a clean sheet and make it three home wins in the NPFL this season.