NPFL wrap-up: Pillars beat Enyimba as Lobi, Plateau grab away wins

Two away wins were recorded in week 25 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Kano Pillars edged Enyimba to displace Akwa United at the summit of the NPFL log while Kwara United jumped to third with Nasarawa going down to fourth.

Lobi Stars and Plateau United recorded the away wins while Warri Wolves’ victory against the Owena Whales got them out of the relegation zone.

Wikki Tourists have now joined FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Sunshine Stars and Adamawa United in the drop zone.

Here is a roundup of the weekend’s encounters across various match venues.

Kano Pillars 2-1 Enyimba

In a match dubbed the ‘El-Classico’ by fans, Victor Mbaoma silenced the home side with the curtain-raiser in the 8th minute.

The second half, however, saw Rabiu Alli’s spot-kick and the 75th-minute strike from Ifeanyi Eze ensure that Pillars beat the People’s Elephant 2-1 in Kaduna.

Rangers 1-1 MFM FC

It was a 1-1 affair between Rangers and MFM at the Cathedral in Enugu.

Wikki Tourist 2-2 Akwa United

Stephen Gopey netted a brace for Wikki in the 33rd and 71st minutes of play respectively. But the Kennedy Boboye’s boys squared things up against the host with Saidu Salisu and Atshimene’s 37th and 53rd minutes goals to share the spoil.

Warri Wolves 2-1 Sunshine Stars

Mark Daniel and Walter Igboakporvme’s goals compounded Sunshine Stars’ woes this season at the Polytechnic stadium.

But Fuad Ekelojuoti netted a consolatory goal for the visitors in the 90+5 minutes of play.

Heartland 2-2 Rivers United

Chijioke Akuneto netted for the home side five minutes to the end of the first stanza. Shedrack Oghali, however, scored the equalizer for Rivers United moments later.

Chukwudi Nworgu then gave Heartland the lead but Oghali netted his second of the evening as the encounter ended in a draw.

Kastina United 2-1 Nasarawa United

Samuel Nnoshiri and Samuel Kalu’s goals were all Katsina United needed to take all points at stake.

But Chigozie Obasi scored a consolatory goal for Nasarawa via penalty.

Dakkada FC 0-1 Lobi Stars

John Lazarus’ 27th-minute goal was the difference between Dakkada and Lobi in Uyo.

Abia Warriors 1-1 FC Ifeanyi Ubah

The Oriental derby saw FC Ifeanyi Ubah’s Patrick Egeonu put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute of play. But Tochukwu Anueyiagu netted an own goal equaliser for the visitors in the 25th minute to square things up in Umuahia.

Adamawa United 0-2 Plateau United

Ibrahim Abubakar and Muhammed Zulkifilu’s 14th and 69th-minute goals were all Plateau United needed to cart away all points in Gombe against Adamawa United.

Kwara United 3-0 Jigawa Golden Stars.

Wasiu Alalade’s brace and Nosiru Afeez’s goal were all Kwara United needed to earn all maximum points at stake at the Ilorin Stadium against Jigawa Golden Stars.