NPFL Matchday 24/25: Home Wins and Late Heartbreakers

The last two weeks have witnessed two Matchdays in the Nigeria Professional Football League as the 2016/17 season gets closer to the finish line.

Matchday 24 was highlighted with Plateau United’s ruthlessness as they disunited Gombe United 5-1 in Jos. There were 3 penalty kicks awarded within the first half – a rarity in the NPFL. Emma James converted two of those kicks (6th and 44th) for Plateau United while Mannir Ubale converted for Gombe United in the 9th minute. Elisha Golbe, Kabiru Umar and Emeka Umeh made it five for the home team.

The second major highlight of Matchday 24 came in Kano. Nyima Nwangwa scored within 10 seconds as Kano Pillars defeated Sunshine Stars 3-1. Junior Lokosa grabbed a brace before Sunday Oluwadamilare grabbed a consolation for the Owena Waves. Nyima Nwangwa and Junior Lokosa are pulling Kano Pillars into the competitive places on the NPFL.

In the Abia Derby, Mfon Udoh grabbed his 39th and 40th league goal for Enyimba as the Peoples Elephant defeated Abia Warriors 2-1 in Calabar. Chimezie Amanfor grabbed a consolation for Abia Warriors before each team ended with 10 men.

In Lagos, MFM FC recorded their first ever NPFL victory over Shooting Stars (1-0) while ABS FC defeated Lobi Stars 1-0 in Ilorin. Rangers FC and Remo Stars were also 1-0 winners over Akwa United FC and Nasarawa United. Wikki Tourists were 3-1 winner over Niger Tornadoes while Rivers United needed a late winner to defeat FC IfeanyiUbah in Port Harcourt. Ayo Saka’s penalty in the 60th minute looked to have been enough for the Pride of Rivers but the Anambra Warriors levelled in the 81st with Price Aggreh scoring from the spot. It was heading for a draw until Efosa Eguakun in the 94th minute.

The late goals continued on Matchday 25. Table Toppers Plateau United had their hearts broken as a 98th minute penalty gave Abia Warriors a 2-1 win. Lobi Stars also needed an 86th winner from super sub Namen Imenger to defeat Rivers United 1-0. MFM FC also suffered late defeats as they were beaten 3-1 in Kano. Stephen Odey cancelled Rabiu Ali’s 12th minute penalty in the 63rd minute but the Lagos based side let in two late goals from Amos Gyang (84th) and Adamu Mohammed (91st).

Shooting Stars and Sunshine Stars finally tasted victory after a long time. The Oluyole Warriorrs were 2-0 winners of ABS FC. The victory pulled them out of the bottom of the table, exchanging places with Remo Stars who lost 2-0 in Maiduguri. Sunshine Stars started their Ijebu Ode stay with a 2-1 win over Gombe United – fellow relegation side.

Enyimba lost 1-0 to Nasarawa United in Lafia with ex-player Abdulrahaman Bashir scoring the goal.  Wikki Tourists surprisingly earned their first draw of the season in Nnewi while Niger Tornadoes ruined a 5th minute penalty miss as Rnagers held on to a 0-0 in Lokoja. Niger Tornadoes would soon return to Minna.

On the table, Plateau United remains on top with 45 points. They are five points ahead of El-kanemi Warriors in 2nd. MFM FC are third only on goal difference with 40 points and Akwa United are third after earning 39 points. The bottom four remains the same with a bit of shuffle. The Southern Stars and Gombe United make up the relegation places.

On the continent, Rivers United defeated Kampala City Council Authority FC 2-1 in Port Harcourt. All of the teams in their group now have 6 points and will be separated by goal difference and head-to-head. Will they make it to the quarter finals?

Hostilities continue with Matchday 26 with games postponed to after the muslim holidays - except Rivers United vs Shooting Stars which would hold on Saturday 24th June.

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