Matchday 24 Review: Goals in Lafia, Draws in Port harcourt and Umuahia, FC IfeanyiUbah stunned at home again.

The NPFL went on a mini break for the state FA Cup matches and thus Matchday 23 was postponed. The NPFL returned with a bang with goals galore in Lafia on Matchday 24.

Nasarawa United came from a goal down to defeat visiting Enyimba 4-3 in Lafia. Abdulrahman Bashir put the visitors ahead in the 26^th minute but the lead lasted only three minutes. Emmanuel Makama converted a 29^th minute penalty after Thomas Zenke was brought down in the box. Thomas Zenke went on to complete a hat-trick of assists in the first half. Najeem Olukokun and Zinte Udeh benefitted in the 36^th and 45^th minute to give Nasarawa United a 3-1 lead at half time.

Enyimba came on fire with a solo goal in the 49^th minute by Chinedu Udeagha. Emmanuel Makama restored Nasarawa United’s 2 goal cushion after he converted another penalty in the 79^th minute after a handball was spotted by the referee. Freedom Omofoman scored Enyimba’s third within a minute. Nasarawa United held on to the 4-3 lead despite Enyimba’s continuous onslaught.

In Nnewi, FC IfeanyiUbah suffered a consecutive home loss after falling to visiting MFM FC. Balogun Alade’s 59^th minute goal was the only goal of the game. Seka Pascal had the opportunity to get a point for the Anambra Warriors but his 71^st minute penalty was saved by Nasamu, the MFM goalie. It was MFM FC’s first away win of the season. Recall that FC IfeanyiUbah lost 2-1 to Niger Tornadoes on Matchday 22.

It was a drab affair in Port Harcourt and Umuahia. Sunshine Stars maintained their unbeaten run against Rivers United since the latter changed names. The game ended 0-0. Rivers United are yet to score against Sunshine Stars since that name change. Abia Warriors were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-men Kano Pillars.

In Makurdi, Lobi Stars continued their match to the NPFL title with a 3-0 win over newly promoted Yobe Desert Stars. David Tyavkase, Austin Ogunye and Cletus Itodo were the goal scorers.

Akwa United move to second spot after a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes. Paul Obata and Gabriel Wassa scored in the 20^th and 46^th minute respectively. Niger Tornadoes missed a 61^st minute penalty to reduce the deficit.

In Owerri, Heartland recorded their first win in eight NPFL matches. They emerged 1-0 winners over visiting Go Round FC with a 76^th minute penalty converted by Zeidine Ahimeye. There were also 1-0 wins for Wikki Tourists over Kwara United, Katsina United over Rangers, and El-kanemi Warriors over Plateau United.

The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in Port Harcourt and lost 2-1 to England in a friendly at Wembley. They will play Czech Republic next before beginning the world cup. Only Enyimba’s Ikechukwu Ezenwa made the final 23 man list from the NPFL.

We wish the Super Eagles the best in Russia.

@AmosCP

Photo-credit: LMC Media