Matchday 21 was a bad one for the teams on the road in the Nigeria Professional Football League. It was so bad that the only goal recorded on the road was a last minute goal in Maiduguri from Rivers United.

Defending Champions Rangers International FC suffered the greatest defeat of the Matchday. They were gunned down by Abia Warriors 4-0 in Umuahia. Within 15 minutes, the Flying Antelopes were already gasping for air. Sunday Adetunji opened scoring in the 6th minute before Anthony Okemiri doubled in the 15th minute. Sunday Adetunji grabbed his brace in the 63rd minute before Obi Samson nailed the coffin. With CHAN qualifiers around the corner, Rohr may be looking at Sunday Adetunji as one of his strikers.

MFM FC, without Odey and Olatunbosun, were blown 3-0 away by Niger Tornadoes in Lokoja with goals from Wilfred Ammeh and Wakili Abdullahi (brace). Shooting Stars couldn’t shine in Makurdi as Lobi Stars emerged 3-0 winners. Kingsley Eduwo grabbed a brace – his second was the 400th goal in the 2016/17 NPFL – before Sunday Akleche wrapped up the victory for Lobi Stars. ABS FC were the other team that were hammered 3-0 on Sunday. Akwa United didn’t miss the services of Alhassan Ibrahim as they emerged victorious over ABS FC. Musa Newman, Ubong Friday and Gabriel Okechukwu were on song.

Three matches ended with lone goals. Table toppers Plateau United needed Daniel Itodo’s throw-ins to defeat Remo Stars. Enyimba FC fell to a 67th minute penalty to Sunshine Stars in Akure while Gombe United needed a 45th goal from Idris Bakare to see off Katsina United.

Godwin is lighting Nnewi up. He scored twice as FC IfeanyiUbah defeated Kano Pillars. The Anambra Warriors have now gone 8 matches unbeaten in the NPFL. Nasarawa United also emerged 2-0 winners over visiting Wikki Tourists while the only away win was recorded in El-kanemi Warriors’ 2-1 win over Rivers United. Regular goal scorer Samuel Mathias scored from the spot in the 10th minute before bala Yahuza doubled for the home side. Onoriode Odah grabbed the consolation for the visitors in added time. It was indeed a poor one for the away teams on Matchday 21.

On Thursday, three NPFL stars made their international debut for Nigeria in a friendly 3-0 win over Togo in France. Stephen Odey, Sikiru Olatunbosun and Alhassan Ibrahim were amongst 10 debutants for the Super Eagles. Odey and Olatunbosun have been omitted from the squad that will take on South Africa in Uyo next week.

Matchday 22 is upon us. Hopefully, we don’t have such poor away results again.

AmosCP