NPFL wrap-up: Plateau, Enyimba secure wins as Jigawa, Kwara share points

There were several interesting results on matchday 5 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The biggest winners were Plateau United and Rivers who both won their matches on home soil against Adamawa and Heartland FC at the Jos and Port Harcourt stadia respectively on Sunday.

TheCable has a low down on how the action panned out in nine centres.

Rivers 3-1 Heartland

Goals from Godwin Aguda 18’ (penalty), Kazie Enyinanya 65’, and Malachi Ohawume 86’ were all it took for the Stanley Eguma’s boys to take the maximum points at the Adokiye Amaesiamaka’s stadium in Port Harcourt. Shedrack Oghali, however, scored a consolation goal for Heartland in the 78th minute.

Plateau United 3-0 Adamawa

Goals from Amos Gyang, Kingsley Innocent and Wasiu Jimoh helped Plateau United beat Adamawa United easily at their Jos stadium.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah 1-1 Abia Warriors

Christian Molokwu’s 76th-minute goal restored parity after Abia Warriors led with Christian Samuel’s strike in the first half.

MFM 1-1 Rangers

Ugochukwu Ugwuoke netted for Rangers in the 20th minute to put the visitors ahead, while Muyiwa Balogun equalized for the Olukoya boys nine minutes after.

Enyimba 2-1 Kano Pillars

Anayo Iwuala and Gabriel Orok’s goals were enough to give the people’s elephant the much needed 3 points against Kano Pillars at Aba. This is despite Fahad Usman’s brilliant strike to get the visitors on the score sheet in the 89th minute.

Lobi 2-1 Dakkada

Christian Ekong cancelled out Samuel Mathias’ 15th-minute goal for the host in the 70th minute of play in Makurdi. But Austin Ogunye’s spot-kick on dearth made the difference for the home side.

Nasarawa 1-0 Katsina

Chigozie Uzochukwu’s goal in the 49th minute of play was enough for the Bala Nikyu’s boys in Lafia.

Sunshine Stars 1-0 Warri Wolves

Sadeeq Yusuf’s solitary strike in the 90th-minute was enough for the Owena boys to get all three points in Akure.

Jigawa 0-0 Kwara

It was a goalless affair between Jigawa GS and Kwara United at the Ahmadu Bello stadium.

Matchday 5 full results:

Nasarawa Utd 1-0 Katsina Utd
Plateau Utd 3-0 Adamawa Utd
Enyimba 2-1 Kano Pillars
Rivers Utd 2-1 Heartland
Jigawa GS 0-0 Kwara Utd
FC Ifeanyi Ubah 1-1 Abia Warriors
MFM 1-1 Rangers
Lobi 2-1 Dakkada FC
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Wolves