This week served us with 2 matchdays comprising of 20 matches in the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League. With the finishing line drawing closer, the quest to avoid relegation became intense and the desires to finish in continental spots were exhibited.

Nasarawa United were the biggest winners of Matchday 29 and 30 combined. They dimmed Sunshine Stars 1-0 in Ijebu Ode and held out a 2-1 win over El-kanemi Warriors in Lafia. Sunshine Stars were basking from the 4-2 win in Ilorin from Matchday 28 but were stunned by Abdulrahman Bashir’s 39th minute goal which proved to the winner. Suraj also made his 50th league appearance for Nasarawa United during the mid-week games.

Weird Sunshine Stars surprised everyone last week. After losing at home to Nasarawa United, they travelled to Port Harcourt and stunned host Rivers United 1-0 to become the first team to win two consecutive away games since Enyimba last season. Ezekiel Thompson scored the winner in the 68th minute and it could have been 3-0 to the visitors. Rivers United need to be mindful of the relegation zone. Coach Stanley Eguma has been given his adrenaline – Three Match Ultimatum. See him perform within the next matchdays.

In the relegation battles, Shooting Stars grabbed 4 points from the available 6 points. Wasiu Jimoh gave the Oluyole Warriors a 1-0 win over Katsina United on Sunday before they held Remo Stars 1-1 in Sagamu on Wednesday. They were heading for an away win in Sagamu before Ekene Awazie scored in the 91st minute to cancel out Moses James 66th minute goal. Remo Stars’ fate in the NPFL is almost sealed. They put a good fight in Makurdi but lost 3-2 to host Lobi Stars.

ABS FC continued their free fall towards the NNL after they were held to a goalless draw by Rivers United on Sunday before losing narrowly to Wikki Tourists 1-0 on Wednesday. Gombe United were thrashed 3-0 at Akwa United and were held 0-0 at home by Niger Tornadoes.

Anthony Okpotu scored his 65th league goal for Lobi Stars but they were undone by two late goals in Calabar as Enyimba came from behind to win 2-1. Mfon Udoh scored the equalizer in the 86th before Ikechukwu Ibenegbu scored from a free kick in the 90th minute. The Peoples Elephant kept pace with their continental chase but Akwa United were not left out. They earned a point from Abia Warriors in Umuahia.

At the top, Plateau United lost 1-0 to Niger Tornadoes before defeating FC IfeanyiUbah by the same scoreline. Both goals were scored from the penalty spot in the first halves. Stephen Odey grabbed his 17th goal of the season as MFM defeated Wikki Tourists before Rangers quenched their fire three days later in Enugu. The match ended 1-0 at halftime before the rain had the game postponed to the next day. MFM lost to Rangers 2-0 and will need to improve on the road in subsequent seasons if they are to challenge for the title.

With 8 matches to go, the heat is on. Plateau United are 5 points clear and look set to win their first NPFL title. The battle for the remaining two continental spots is between MFM FC, Akwa United and Enyimba FC. El-kanemi Warriors and FC IfeanyiUbah are lurking around too. Remo Stars’ fate is almost done and dusted in the NPFL. Shooting Stars, ABS FC and Gombe United currently occupy the remaining three relegation slots. Rivers United, Rangers FC and Sunshine Stars are not safe yet.

Let the better team survive. May the best team win.

@AmosCP

Photo Credit: LMC