Plateau United needed a late equalizer to avoid a home defeat in the hands of Rivers United. Emma James missed from the spot in the 81st minute before Peter Eneji scored in the 89th minute to draw the home team level with Rivers United who took the lead in the 14th minute via Emeka Ogbugh. The Rivers United forward have now scored three away goals for the Pride of Rivers – the most by any player in the team.

The 2 points lost at home delayed Plateau United’s title celebrations for another week. A win would have meant that MFM needed astronomical wins in their next two NPFL matches. MFM FC lost by a lone goal to Abia Warriors in Umuahia. 4 points separates the top two teams and a win for Plateau United in Bauchi on Matchday 37 will give them their first league title. That shouldn’t be a difficult task especially seeing that they knocked out Wikki Tourists in Bauchi in the AITEO Cup round of 64 few weeks ago. Oh, Wikki Tourists have a relegation battle to face too.

Chasing the top two are Akwa United and Enyimba FC, who had their games shown live on TV. Akwa United won 2-1 on Friday over Lobi Stars in the Old Uyo Township stadium. Musa Newman had a hand in the two goals scored. His 20th minute goal was followed by an assist for Gabriel Okechukwu in the 40th minute. Kingsley Eduwo reduced the deficit just before the break but full time ended 2-1.

Enyimba FC on the other hand ran over Wikki Tourists. Goals from Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Stephen Chukwude and Chinonso Okonkwo made it 3-0 at half time – a rarity. Stanley Dimgba made it 4-0 in the 75th minute to seal all three points for the Peoples Elephant. The win keeps Enyimba FC within same points and goal difference as Akwa United. The battle for the third spot is real.

Chinedu Udechukwu scored two penalties as Katsina United took a leap away from the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Sunshine Stars. Bobby Clement also scored a brace as Rangers FC won 2-1 at Remo Stars and flew to the 8th spot. It is their highest spot since they emerged champions last season.  

Abayomi Adebayo’s 90th minute goal in Maiduguri earned Shooting Stars a 1-1 draw against El-Kanemi Warriors. Ibrahim Babaginda will rue his penalty miss in the 45th minute. The draw took the Oluyole Warriors to 16th spot – just above the relegation waters on goal difference.

Nasarawa United moved to 5th on the table with a 1-0 win over Kano Pillars with Adamu Hassan scoring just before half time. Musa Usman scored a brace as Gombe United kept their relegation survival hopes alive for another week with a 2-1 win over ABS FC. The Desert Scorpions are 4 point away from safety and will be relegated if they don’t win in Port Harcourt on Matchday 37.

In Lokoja, two late goals from Ibrahim Babawo and Wilfred Ammeh gave Niger Tornadoes a 2-1 win over FC IfeanyiUbah. It was heartbreak for the visitors as their 1-0 first half lead went into flames in the last 4 minutes of the game. The Anambra Warriors finished with 9 men and even saved a penalty in the first half but Niger Tornadoes pressed on for a winner.

So we have three battles to look out for – Winner, Third and Relegation. Which would be most exciting by Matchday 37?

Bonus: The AITEO Cup Round of 32 will be played on Wednesday and the Super Eagles are in town for the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cameroon. Hope we win.

Oh, Alhassan Ibrahim has joined Austria Vienna.

Sayonara

@AmosCP