Fisayo Dairo
League leaders Plateau United continued the unbeaten start to the season as the Jos club held Gombe United to a goalless draw in Gombe in one of the five Match-day 4 matches to end deadlocked yesterday.
The Tin City outfit is now two points clear of second placed Rivers United that also remained unbeaten following a thoroughly earned goalless draw against FC Ifeanyiubah in Nnewi.
The biggest winner on Match-day 4 was Lobi Stars of Makurdi notching its second win in as many home games in a comprehensive 3-0 bashing of newly promoted ABS FC at the Aper Aku Stadium.
Striker Kingsley Eduwo’s first half goal put Lobi en route to victory before the former Sunshine striker completed his brace on the dot of 90 minutes. There was still time however for Nwangwa Nyima to open his Lobi account in stoppage time.
In nearby Lafia, Nasarawa United thrashed another newly promoted side, Remo Stars 3-1. Abdulrahman Bashir scored first for the Solid Miners before Awoyemi Abiodun briefly restored parity for the visitors just after the hour mark. Douglas Achiv’s long-range strike restored Nasarawa’s lead before captain Emmanuel Makama sealed the win with a stoppage time penalty.
In Akure, Sikiru Alimi’s late penalty was all Sunshine Stars required to edge out Kano Pillars in a tight contest. Pillars’ former Sunshine goalkeeper Danladi Isah had kept out a first half penalty by Peter Iyamu but could do nothing to keep out Alimi’s effort.
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars also required a last gasp penalty to avoid a home loss to MFM FC of Lagos in a South West derby.
Sikiru Olatunbosun’s first half goal had put the Lagosians on the verge of their first away win since last season’s Match Day 1 but Adebayo Abayomi’s stoppage time penalty rescued the day for Shooting, who are now winless in their last three games.
The Abia Derby between Abia Warriors and Enyimba ended goalless in Umuahia with Godwin Zaki and Ifeanyi Anaemena missing gilt edge chances for both team respectively.
In Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors left it late before stealing a lone goal victory over Katsina United. Substitute Sunday Anthony’s acrobatic finish in stoppage time ensured El-Kanemi win for the 11th time in a row since returning to Maiduguri last season.
In Lokoja, Niger Tornadoes secured their first win of the season at the 4th attempt. Winger Chidiebere Ajoku scored both goals as they ran out 2-0 winners over Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.
Akwa United however remained winless after four games as the Promise Keepers were held to a goalless draw by reigning Champions Enugu Rangers who have now secured two important points on the road after the opening day reversal against Abia Warriors.
MATCH DAY 4
Lobi Stars 3-0 ABS
Nasarawa 3-1 Remo
Tornadoes 2- 0 Wikki
El-Kanemi 1-0 Katsina
Sunshine 1-0 Pillars
Shooting 1-1 MFM
Gombe 0-0 Plateau
Akwa 0-0 Rangers
IfeanyiUbah 0-0 Rivers
Abia Warriors 0-0 Enyimba
