Matchday 27 served us with one of the lowest scoring weekends in the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League season. A total of 17 goals were recorded over the weekend, only better than 4 previous Matchdays. It was a weekend filled with 1-0 wins with only 4 of the 18 teams in action scoring more than a goal in their encounter.

The biggest news in the Nigeria was Rivers United’s 2-0 home defeat against visiting Club Africain in Port Harcourt. It was their first ever home loss in the CAF Confederation Cup and their second ever home loss on the continent. Despite making so much publicity to get fans to watch the The Pride of Rivers, the team were flatfooted and were made to pay the price at the hands of a tactical disciplined Tunisian side. A deflected goal from a freekick and an own goal from the captain – all in the second half – summed up Rivers United’s chances of progressing to the Quarter Finals.

In the NPFL, the highest scoring game was in Makurdi. Lobi Stars scorched down the reigning champions, Rangers, with goals from Ezekiel Mba, Kingsley Eduwo and Toni Okpotu for a 3-1 win. Daniel Etor grabbed a consolation from the spot in the 91st minute. The other high scoring game was in Agege where MFM defeated ABS FC 2-1. Stephen Odey was brought down in the box but Austine Ogunye was elected to convert from the spot in the 17th. Ogunye turned provider as Sikiru Olatunbosun doubled their lead in the 66th minute before ABS FC got a consolation in the 88 minute.

In Ibadan, two first half goals from Ibrahim Ajani and Bode Daniel gave Shooting Stars a 2-0 win over Wikki Tourists. Nasarawa United were held to a 1-1 draw in Lafia by visiting Gombe United. Before this game Nasarawa United had gone 9 home matches without conceding. The draw will be a booster to the Desert Scorpions in their quest to survive relegation this season. FC IfeanyiUbah were 2-0 winners over Katsina United. Godwin Obaje and Chijioke Alaekwe were on song.

Other matches ended in solitary goals. In the battle between fourth and third, Akwa United defeated Enyimba FC 1-0 with Musa Newman’s 15th minute strike enough for the home team to secure their first win since 2014. Niger Tornadoes added misery to Remo Stars in Lokoja, Sunshine Stars saw off Abia Warriors while El-kanemi Warriors left it very late to defeat table toppers Plateau United 1-0 in Maiduguri. The goal came in the 5th minute of added time.

MFM FC’s victory moves them within 2 points of Plateau United who failed to hold on to a goalless draw in Maiduguri. Akwa United moved to the third position – their highest position in over three years. The bottom four remains the same but as we surge into the last 11 matches, will there be changes?

Keep your fingers crossed. We hope for more goals next Matchday.

@AmosCP

Photo Credit: LMC