NPFL round-up: Tornadoes, Doma United earn away wins as Enyimba thrash Pillars 5-0

As the 2023/24 season approaches the home stretch, two away victories were recorded on Wednesday in matchday 28 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as nine matches were played across venues.

Akwa United, who secured a 2-1 away victory against Plateau United in Jos on matchday 27, failed to sustain the momentum, falling 1-0 to Doma United in Uyo, while Insurance FC lost 3-1 to Tornadoes of Minna at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin in a game completely dominated by the visiting team.

League leaders Enugu Rangers, playing at home, won 2-0 superior over Sunshine Stars while Abia Warriors edged Plateau United 1-0. Relegation-bound Gombe United failed to take home advantage against Remo Stars with the game at the Patami Stadium, Gombe ending goalless.

Sporting Lagos also settled for a 1-1 result at home as it failed to break the resolve of title contender Lobi Stars. Shooting Stars shot aside their inconsistent run by posting an emphatic 2-0 win over Kwara United at the Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan while Heartland’s quest to escape relegation suffered a setback against Bayelsa United in Yenagoa where the Owerri side lost 1-0.

The biggest win of the day came at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba where the league’s defending champion, Enyimba, trounced Kano Pillars 5-0 to move up 48 points, now trailing Rangers at the summit by only 3 points, although tying on points with Lobi Stars who lie third on the log.

Only the fixture involving host Rivers United and Katsina United was postponed due to Rivers’ involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal game against USM of Algeria.

A total of 275 matches have been played so far, with five outstanding games, while 567 goals have been scored, averaging two goals per match. Twenty-one away wins have also been recorded in 207 wins overall.