By Duro Ikhazuagbe
MFM FC yesterday missed the golden opportunity to narrow Plateau United’s lead at the top of the Nigeria professional Football League (NPFL) to just one point. The Olukoya Boys lost 1-0 away to Abia Warriors in Umuahia. Arinze Nwangwu’s 67th minute strike gave maximum points to the Warriors.
On a day that league leaders, Plateau, were held 1-1 at home at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos by Rivers United, a win for MFM would have shot them to 62 points, just one below Kennedy Boboye’s team. Emeka Ogbugh pulled the curtain raiser for the visitors before Peter Eneji rescued Plateau’s drift with his equaliser. Plateau missed a spot kick that would stretch their lead in the dying minutes of the game as Emmanuel James failed to convert the penalty.
But that was not meant to be as that defeat leaves MFM at 59 points with Plateau hanging on to the lead on 63 points with just two games to end of the 2016/2017 season.
Enyimba crushed visiting Wikki Tourists 4-0 in Calabar to ensure that there was no change in the top four of the NPFL standing. Three first half goals from veteran Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (11th), Stephen Chukwude (19th) and Chinonso Okonkwo (28th) gave the Aba Elephant three goals advantage in the first stanza. Stanley Dimgba’s 75th goal completed the rout of the Tourists in the Cannan City of Calabar.
Enyimba is third on the log on same 57 points with Akwa United that defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 earlier on Friday. Goal difference separates the two teams.
Elsewhere yesterday, Shooting Stars secured a valuable point from the 1-1 draw with El kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri to keep the hope of the Oluyole Warriors escaping from dropping to the lower rung.
Babangida Ibrahim shot the hosts to the front in the 48th minute before Abayomi Adebayo save the day for Shooting on the dot of 90 minutes with his equalizer.
Just like how Plateau United’s James missed a penalty, Ibrahim also failed to convert the spot kick awarded to the hosts.
The draw in Maiduguri however has lifted Shooting out of the drop zone to 16th on 47 points, with El-Kanemi seventh with 53 points.
In Sagamu, Remo Stars who are sure-bet for relegation at the end of the season succumbed to a 1-2 from Rangers International.
Bobby Clement scored both goals in the 20th and 52nd minutes put Rangers 2-0 ahead in the game. Akeem Taiwo however got the consolatory goal for Remo in the 58th minute. The win shot Rangers to the eighth spot on 52 points.
In Lafia, Kano Pillars lost 1-0 to Nasarawa United while Gombe United defeated ABS 2-1 in Gombe. Sunshine Stars lost 2-0 away to Katsina United.
The game between Niger Tornadoes and FC Ifeanyi Ubah will be concluded at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja this morning, following heavy downpour that led to halting of proceedings.
King Osanga gave the visitors the lead five minutes before the interval. Bamba Drissa saved a first half stoppage time penalty to keep his side in contention for a possible upset.
MATCH DAY 36
Plateau Utd 1-1 Rivers Utd
Abia Warriors 1-0 MFM
Enyimba 4-0 Wikki Tourists
El-Kanemi 1-1 Shooting
Remo Stars 1- 2 Rangers
Nasarawa 1- 0 Kano Pillars
Gombe United 2-1 ABS
Katsina Utd 2 – 0 Sunshine
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