Matchday 14 and Rescheduled Matchdday 11 reveiws: Late Penalties, Kone Hattrick, Goals Galore and many more

Ten matches were played on Sunday with additional three midweek rescheduled matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League. Matchday 14 of the 2018 season had controversial results from some venues with late penalties to the home side.

Rivers United were on the verge getting at least a draw in Makurdi but table toppers Lobi Stars were awarded a 94th minute penalty. This was converted by Austin Ogunye to give Lobi Stars a 3-2 victory. There were three penalties in the game and it all started in the 17th minute. Ezekiel mbah put Lobi Stars ahead in the 18th minute from the spot, before Rivers United equalized via same medium in the 21st minute. The visitors went ahead in the 36th minute through Frederick Obomate but a 69th minute header by Austin Ogunye pulled the home side level. Then came the controversial penalty in the 94th minute.

Owerri had its share of a late controversial penalty as MacMarcel Obioha’s goal in the 95th minute gave Heartland a 2-1 win over Nasarawa United. His penalty had opened the game in the 32nd minute before Ikechukwu Nwani equalized just after the hour mark. Heartland needed another penalty in the 95th minute to get all three points.

In Omoku, Chile Azu scored a 93rd minute penalty as Go Round FC clawed back from 2-0 down to earn a point at home against Rangers FC. The visitors had gone 2-0 up within the first 24 minutes with Ifeanyi George scoring the two goals. Okon Otop pulled one back for Go Round FC in the 62nd minute before Chile Azu completed the comeback.

At half time, five teams were on the verge of an away win. After full time, there was no away win on Matchday 14. The hopes of away wins fizzled into thin air. The LMC have released a statement on the manner of officiating. Follow them on twitter @LMCNPFL.

In other Matchday 14 matches, Wikki Tourists ran over El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0 with goals from Abba Umar and a brace from Shammah Tanze. Yaya Kone recorded the second hattrick of the season as FC IfeanyiUbah defeated defending champions Plateau United 3-0 in Nnewi.

Kwara United came from behind to see off Kano Pillars 2-1 in Ilorin. Junior Lokosa scored his 12th league goal of the season but it was not enough for the visitors. MFM FC also came from behind to defeat Katsina United at the Agege Stadium. Super sub Chijioke Akuneto scored a brace to earn a 2-1 victory over the visitors. Niger Tornadoes pipped Sunshine Stars 1-0 in Minna.

Enyimba became the first away team to score at the August 27th stadium in Damaturu in a 1-1 draw over Yobe Desert Stars. Mustapha Ibrahim scored for Enyimba in the 5th minute before Philip Auta’s penalty drew the home team level in the 56th minute. It was a good weekend for the Oriental teams after Abia Warriors held Akwa United to a 1-1 draw in Uyo.

Three rescheduled Matchday 11 matches were played during the midweek. Enyimba ended their winless jinx over MFM FC with a 2-0 win despite playing most of the second half with 10 men. Plateau United were 2-1 winners over Yobe Desert Stars while Akwa United lost 2-0 away to Katsina United.

Going to the Easter mini break, Lobi Stars sit three points clear at the top with 26 points. Akwa United are second with 23 points but have a game in hand. Kano Pillars, Enyimba and Plateau United have 21 points but Enyimba and Plateau have outstanding matches.

At the bottom, Kwara United occupy the 20th spot with 14 points from 13 games. El-kanemi Warriors are 2 points clear but share the same points with Heartland and Sunshine Stars.

Bonus: Nigeria defeated Poland 1-0 in Wraclow and lost 2-0 to Serbia in London.

Matchday 16 is next.

AmosCP

Photocredit: LMC Media