The South West derby in Sagamu produced the only away win of Matchday 32 and MFM FC were the winners. Remo Stars, doomed for the lower league, fell to Austine Ogunye’s 71st minute goal. It may have been worse for Remo Stars if leading goal scorer, Stephen Odey, converted from the spot in the 56th minute. He even missed the retake. Is Mfon Udoh’s 23 goals record per season looking like a tall order?

Mfon Udoh gave Enyimba FC a 1-0 victory in the biggest match of the Matchday 32. Poorly harnessed, the fixture didn’t live up to the expectation in terms of spectatorship. The Peoples Elephant have not played in Aba for the 2nd consecutive season and live TV have gone on hiatus with the officials mum about it. Udoh needed a 72nd minute penalty to see of hard fighting Kano Pillars. Junior Lokosa got his matching orders for Kano Pillars in the first half before Enyimba were denied four times by the post. Lucky Pillars; it may have been 3-0.

In Jos, it was a tale of how bad a pitch can be. While the visitors, Shooting Stars, kept complaining about the poor state of the pitch, table toppers Plateau United emerged 2-0 winners to maintain 3 points above MFM FC who won away at Remo Stars. The rainy season has a way of making this pitch very messy. It was like a mud fight.

There oriental derby for the weekend didn’t produce any goal, becoming the 5th consecutive NPFL matches between Abia Warriors and FC IfeanyiUbah that ended in draws. The Anambra Warriors are yet to win a league game against Abia Warriors and would rue this opportunity to keep up with the pack chasing for continental slots. Gombe United were also held to a goalless draw by Lobi Stars.

Nasarawa United moved to 6th position, their highest in about year, with a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes. Olayinka Onaolapo scored in the 22nd minute. El-kanemi Warriors also gave their continental hopes a push by denting that of Akwa United in Maiduguri. The game ended 1-0 with Tchoanfine scoring in the 26th minute from a corner kick.

Wikki Tourists continued their upward movement with a 2-1 win over high flying Sunshine Stars. The Owena Waves were vying for their third consecutive away win in the league but goals from Idris Guda and Chinedu Onyelonu cancelled out Nojeem Raji’s opener for Sunshine Stars. Wikki Tourists currently occupy the 11th position.

Katsina was the centre for goals for Matchday 32. Four goals were shared equally as ABS FC held Katsina Utd to a draw. In Enugu, the rains had most of the game postponed to Monday morning. It didn’t help Rivers United’s cause to move further away from the relegation zone. Ifeanyi George’s brace gave the Flying Antelopes the win but Emeka Ogbugh got a consolation for Rivers United.

Results from the centres meant Shooting Stars returned to the relegation zones in 17th position. Abia Warriors seem to have joined the relegation battle with Sunshine Stars and Rangers not saved either. Rivers United are a point above relegation with an outstanding against Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

There are 6 more Matchdays to go. It is getting hotter. Can MFM close the gap on Plateau United? Who would not survive the drop?

@AmosCP

Photo credit: LMC Media

Stats: Opta Nigeria (@OptaNGR on twitter)