The twists and turns of the Nigeria Professional Football League continued as the league got closer to finish line on Matchday 33. Finally we had a game broadcasted live for the first time since Matchday 15 in March 2017.

The Live game was the star match of the weekend but the fireworks came from Makurdi. Abia Warriors went, saw and conquered their hosts Lobi Stars 4-2 in a pulsating game. Lobi Stars had an 80 game unbeaten run before they were massacred by a determined Abia Warriors who are fighting very hard to avoid relegation. Sunday Adetunji grabbed a brace but ended up with a broken arm.

@OptaNGR: 6 – Sunday Adetunji has now scored 6 away goals for Abia Warriors this season; 3 more than any other player in the league. Warrior. #LOBABI

@OptaNGR: 4 - @AbiaWarriors scored 4 away goals in the #NPFL for the first time in their history. Projectile. #LOBABI

All four of Abia Warriors’ goals came between Kingsley Eduwo’s brace for the home side. Anthony Okemiri and Chinenye Agoha were the other scorers for the away side. What a game.

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars came from behind to defeat fellow relegation strugglers, Gombe United, 2-1. Musa Usman looked to have silenced the Lekan Salami Stadium in the 55th minute but two goals in 7 minutes earned Shooting Stars a place outside the relegation waters. Seun Akinyemi scored from the spot in the 72nd minute before Najeem Olukokun grabbed the winner in the 79th minute. In the other relegation battle of the weekend, ABS FC emerged 2-0 winners over Remo Stars with goals from Samuel Oyedeji and Alade.

There were three 1-0 wins on Matchday 33. Sunshine Stars edged Akwa United 1-0 in Ijebu Ode with question marks over the penalty that led to the goal. Pascal Seka gave FC IfeanyiUbah a 1-0 win over bogey team Nasarawa United. Niger Tornadoes edged El-kanemi Warriors 1-0 in Lokoja.

MFM FC and Enyimba FC played out an exciting game at the Agege Stadium but no goals were scored. This was their 4th meeting in the NPFL and no winner emerged like the previous three. Mfon Udoh had chances to win it for the visitors and 7 time champions but they would take the single point in good faith. MFM FC failed to close the gap on Plateau United who held Kano Pillars to a 1-1 draw in Kano.  Hamza Abba Tiya’s 52nd minute goal saved Kano Pillars who fell behind to Ibeh Johnson’s goal in the 17th minute.

There were cases of violence and manhandling of the officials in Bauchi where Rangers FC held hosts Wikki Tourists to a 1-1 draw. Pictures circulating the social media show how fans took laws into their hands as they descended on the officials. The game was delayed but was finally finished off under flood lights. The LMC would need to act soonest.

The last game of the Matchday was played on Monday. Rivers United needed a win to keep them away from the relegation zones but they could not hold on to a 1-0 lead. Abdoulaye Kanoute had given the Pride of Rivers the lead in the 44th minute but Martins Ursule ensured that Katsina United left Port Harcourt in pride after he scored the 93rd minute. It is heartbreak for Rivers United who were playing on the continent few weeks ago.

@OptaNGR: 1 – Rivers United have now won just 1 of their last 7 #NPFL matches – 1W 3D 3L. Shivering. #RIVKAT

The battle continues with 5 more matches to be played by every club. Who would survive the drop? Will MFM slip out of the top three?

@AmosCP

Photo Credit: LMC Media. Stats: Opta Nigeria (@OptaNGR)