NPFL: Plateau Hammers Sunshine 5-0 to Keep Pressure on Akwa Utd  

By Duro Ikhazuagbe
Status quo was maintained at the top of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) as table toppers Akwa United and Plateau United recorded massive wins in Match-day 7 games played yesterday in Uyo and Jos.
While the Promise Keepers hammered Wikki Tourists 4-0 at the Nest of Champions, Plateau was equally on rampage, firing five un-replied goals into the net of Sunshine Stars in Jos.
Striker Tosin Omoyele grabbed a brace in Plateau’s victory to put behind them the loss they suffered at the Sani Abacha ground against Kano Pillars. The Jos club now have 16 points from seven matches, just a point behind Akwa United at the summit.
Kano Pillars moved up to the third spot in the NPFL standings on 14 points after they broke the resistance of visiting MFM FC with Junior Lokosa scoring his seventh goal of the campaign.
There were also home wins for Katsina United, Heartland, Lobi Stars and Rivers United, while Enugu Rangers and Enyimba shared the points at Abia Warriors and El Kanemi, respectively.
In Port Harcourt, Oche Salefu dispatched a late penalty to hand Rivers United FC maximum points against Go Round FC in the points in the ‘Rivers Derby’
that lacked in quality.
 
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ United never really got off first gear for the entirety of the game against a Go Round side that appeared happy to play for a draw.
 
The ‘Lions’ from Omoku were happy to sit back for most parts and try to catch the hosts’ underbelly on the break.
Goal opportunities were few and far between until a rash challenge by Awala Moses on Samuel Akinbinu in the 79th minute gave the hosts a chance win.
Salefu is a man for the big occasion and when he stepped up to take responsibility from 12 yards, there was never any doubts about the eventual outcome.
Technical manager of Rivers United FC, Stanley Eguma told the club’s website later yesterday that the maximum point came handy.
“It was important to amass maximum points but we couldn’t play compact and cohesive football as we planned in the first half.
“We improved in the second half and I think we are still on course,” Eguma said.
Rivers United have now amassed ten points from their opening seven games in the season and occupy 10th spot while Go Round FC are in the relegation zone as they have amassed seven points from seven matches.
United will next travel to Damaturu to face Yobe Desert Stars as the NPFL enters match day eight.
 
MATCHDAY 7
Akwa Utd 4-0 Wikki  
Lobi 1-0 Ifeanyiubah
Heartland 2-0 Kwara Utd
Katsina Utd 2-0 Tornadoes
Rivers Utd 1-0 Go Round
Abia Warriors 0-0 Rangers
El-Kanemi 0-0 Enyimba
Plateau Utd 5-0 Sunshine 
Kano Pillars 2-0 MFMFC

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