NPFL wrap-up: Abia Warriors, El-Kanemi, Sunshine secure impressive wins

A brace from Obi Samson handed Abia Warriors a 2-0 win over Wikki Tourists in week 13 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Both sides went into half-time deadlocked at 0-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium before the former Inter FC player delivered a double in the home stretch.

Substitute Sikiru Alimi stole the show for Sunshine Stars by scoring the winner against Yobe Desert Stars.

The Desert Stars took the lead through Babatunde Solomon before Bala Yahuza equalised and Alimi came on as a substitute to grab the winner.

Lukman Mohammed scored the solitary strike from the penalty spot for Katsina United. The goal came in the third minute.

El-Kanemi Warriors had three points in the bag at home to FC Ifeanyi Ubah courtesy of Ocheme Edoh’s 22nd minute effort.

Nasarawa United earned bragging rights with a 2-1 win over Lobi Stars. Austin Ogunye gave the Pride of Benue the lead with a spot kick in the 6th minute.

Nojeem Olukokun equalised in the 20th minute for the hosts and Nwani Williams netted the match winner on the half hour mark.

Meanwhile, four Nigerian clubs were in action in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.

The poor run of Nigeria’s representatives in the money-spinning Champions League continued, with MFM FC and Plateau United crashing out against North African teams.

In the Confederation Cup, the story was cheerful, with Enyimba and Akwa United showing enough quality to book their tickets in the final round.

MC Algiers thrashed MFM 6-0 and qualified 7-2 on aggregate.

Tosin Omoyele’s first half goal wasn’t enough for Plateau United to go through after the club lost 4-2 to Etoile du Sahel in the first leg affair.

Chinonso Okonkwo struck a brace to add to Abdulrahman Bashir’s opener as Enyimba navigated past Energie FC 3-2.

Olorunleke Ojo was the hero for Akwa United as he pulled off three saves in the penalty shootouts against Al Ittihad.

The second leg game ended 1-0 in Uyo as the Promise Keepers played out a 1-1 draw on aggregate.

In the shootouts, Akwa won 3-2 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.