A hat-trick from Reuben Bala gave Plateau United a 4-1 victory over Henry Makinwa’s ABS FC in Jos. Bala scored in the 42nd (p), 70th and 92nd (p) minute after Joshua Obaje opened scoring in the 20th minute. Hamisu Saleh gave the visitors hope after his own goal pulled ABS level in the 24th minute. The result pulled Plateau United back to top spot.

Plateau United were dethroned in the mid-week rescheduled match where Stephen Odey grabbed his 11th and 12th goal of the season from the spot in a 2-1 victory over Rivers United. Rangers lost the other game of the mid-week in the dying minutes as Shooting Stars recorded their first win since Adam. Rangers were unlucky to miss a penalty in the game.

The penalty galore continued this Matchday across the federation. Katsina United were 1-0 winners over visiting Rangers. Timothy Danladi scored from the spot after Chibuzor Madu handled the ball in the box. Mfon Udoh’s 65th minute penalty also gave Enyimba a 1-0 win over Rivers United. Remo Stars needed a 80th minute penalty to see off Wikki Tourists 2-1 in Sagamu. Victor Mbaoma scored the winner after a defender handled a goal bound shot.

In Gombe, MFM FC were defeated by Gombe United 1-0. The home side even had the luxury of missing a spot kick in the first half. Thomas Zenke gave Nasarawa United a 1-0 win over Shooting Stars in the 84th minute. It ended Shooting Stars’ 6 matches unbeaten streak. Samuel Matthias also scored in the 84th minute to give El-kanemi Warriors a 1-0 win and all three points in Maiduguri. Can anyone pick a draw in Maiduguri?

Abia Warriors recorded their first ever win over Kano Pillars in the NPFL. Joel Djondang’s own goal opened the scoring for the home side befoe Sheriff Bashir and Sunday Adetunji turned the screw in the second half to secure a 3-0 victory.

Olorunleke’s penalty-saving heroics could not save Sunshine Stars as a 92nd minute goal gave Niger Tornadoes a 2-1 win over the visitors. Sunshine Stars’ goalie Olorunleke saved a 4th penalty from Okoye and another in the 67th minute from Sadiq Suleiman but he could not save the shot from Lukas Yahaya in added time. Gabriel Jeremiah scored first for Niger Tornadoes before Kehinde Adedipe equalized in the 71st minute. Lokoja has a way of attracting penalties.

In the last game of the day, Akwa United and FC IfeanyiUbah played out a 1-1 draw in Uyo. Pascal Seka silenced the Uyo fans in the 2nd minute but Alhassan grabbed the equalizer in the 75th minute.

On the log, Plateau United are back on top with 28 points, closely followed by MFM FC with 27 points. El-kanemi Warriors remain third with same points and goal difference with MFM FC but with fewer goals scored. Niger Tornadoes move up to 4th spot after Kano Pillars slipped in Umuahia. The Abia brothers are 6th and 7th with same points (22). The Elephants are 7th based on goal difference.

Remo Stars swarm out of the relegation zones thanks to their victory in Sagamu. It is not getting easy for Rangers and Rivers United who occupy the bottom of the table after being knocked out of the CAF Champions League. They both have three outstanding matches though, so expect their position to be temporary.