NPFL Round Up: Plateau Utd maul Adamawa 5-0 to regain top spot
The floodgates of goals were opened at the New Jos Stadium where Plateau United netted five unreplied goals against Adamawa United to return to the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) log. But other talking points of the MatchDay were in Nnewi, Makurdi and Enugu .
In Nnewi and Enugu, FC IfeanyiUbah and Rangers International were victorious in oriental derbies while Dakkada FC put a stop to Lobi Stars 100 percent home record in Makurdi.
Plateau who began the day third place, knew a win for them could send them to the top spot, though they had to have an eye on the outcome of games in Makurdi (Lobi v Dakkada) and Kano (Jigawa v Rivers).
Ibrahim Mustpaha got the 2017 champions in front on 18 minutes, before Oche Ochowechi added the second seven minutes later.
Mustapha, a former Enyimba forward grabbed his brace five minutes before the break, when he was beautifully sent clear by Sunday Anthony.
Maikaba’s men resumed with more hunger, in a bid to put behind disappointing results of the four previous matchdays. Uche Onwuasoanya and substitute Abba Umar completed the rout with goals in the 65th and 90th minute to cap what was an amazing afternoon for the Jos side.
The win took Plateau temporarily to the top of the log, pending the outcome of the fixture between Jigawa Golden Stars and Rivers United in Kano on Monday, after Lobi Stars were held to a barren draw by Dakkada FC of Uyo at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
Elsewhere, FC Ifeanyi Ubah compounded the woes of eight time champions Enyimba International, with a 2-0 win over Fatai Osho’s men. Uche Sabestian latched onto a loose ball in the Enyimba defence to draw first blood for the home side, eight minutes before the break, before Ikenna Cooper cemented the win with a header off Eric Oguocha’s cross in the 66th minute.
In the other oriental derby of the matchday, Salisu Yusuf’s tutored Rangers International thumbed Abia Warriors 3-1 at the Cathedral, to ease the pressure that has characterised their start to the season. Ibrahim Olawoyin scored first for the hosts on seven minutes, before Lukman Bellow drew the Lagos side level five minutes later. Ifeanyi George’s double in the 41st and 69th minute however put the game behind the visitors.
Respite came the way of Wikki Tourists as they won for the first time in two attempts, following their return to their refurbished home turf in Bauchi. Promise Damala and Olushola Ajala scored for the home side in the 18th and 45th minute, to put them in control of the fixture. Chimezie Izuchukwu’s response two minutes into the second half was not enough for the visitors, MFM as Usman Abdallah’s men won 2-1.
At the Sani Abacha Stadium, two quick late goals from Nyima Nwagwa (76) and Rabiu Ali (79) earned Kano Pillars a two nil win over Kennedy Boboye’s Akwa United, as the Uyo side suffered their second straight defeat in eight games..
The games between Kwara United and Sunshine Stars in Ilorin, as well as Heartland and Katsina United in Okigwe, did not produce goals.
Nasarawa United’s fixture at home to Warri Wolves will be decided on Monday, while Rivers United’s trip to Kano for a date with Jigawa Golden Stars will also be decided same day. Rivers United could go top of the log (with possible 30 points) if they defeat the new comers.
Matchday 16 Scores:
Plateau United 5-0 Adamawa United
Wikki Tourists 2-1 MFM
Kwara 0-0 Sunshine
Kano Pillars 2-0 Akwa United
Ifeanyi Ubah 2-0 Enyimba
Heartland 0-0 Katsina United
Lobi Stars 0-0 Dakkada
Enugu Rangers 3-1 Abia Warriors
Nasarawa United v Warrior Wolves – Monday
Jigawa GS v Rivers United – Monday
