Enyimba bounces back
League leaders Plateau United bounced back from last weekend's away defeat to Niger Tornadoes as they piped visiting Ifeanyi Ubah 1-0 on matchday 30 of the Nigeria Professional Football League in Jos on Wednesday.
Plateau United's goal was scored by Emma James who converted a 13th minute penalty following a foul on Owolabi Hamzat by Stephen Eze.The win means Plateau United are now on 54 points, five ahead of second placed MFM FC.
In Enugu, the game between champions Rangers and MFM was called off due to heavy rain and water logged pitch. Rangers were ahead thanks to Chiamaka Madu's 15th minute goal.The game will resume in the second half on Thursday morning. In Calabar, Enyimba came from a goal down to beat Lobi Stars 2-1. Anthony Okpotu gave Lobi the lead in the 18th minute, taking his goal tally for the season to 14.But two late second half goals from Mfon Udoh and Ikechukwu Ibenegbu in the 86th and 90th minutes gave Enyimba the dramatic win.Udoh's goal means he has now found the back of the net 11 times this season.
Enyimba moved up to fourth position on 47 points in the league, seven adrift of leaders Plateau United. In Lafia, El-Kanemi Warriors lost 2-1 to 10-man Nasarawa United. A brace from Adamu Hassan in the fifth and 46th minutes put Nasarawa 2-0 ahead. In the 53rd minute, Hashimu Haliru pulled a goal back for El-Kanemi to make it 2-1.
In the 89th minute, Nasarawa's Abubakar Ahmed was sent off for a foul on El-Kanemi's goalkeeper.El-Kanemi have dropped from the fourth to fifth position on 46 points due to the defeat to Nasarawa United.
Shooting Stars of Ibadan (3SC) were denied the chance to secure their first away win of the season as they conceded a late goal to settle for a 1-1 draw against struggling Remo Stars.The Ibadan-based club looked to be heading to victory as they took the lead in the 66th minute. But in the 92nd minute, Ekene Awaziem snatched a late goal to make sure both teams shared the points.
The draw took Shooting Stars to 16th from the 15th spot while Remo remain bottom on 29 points.
In Port Harcourt, Sunshine Stars stunned hosts and fellow strugglers Rivers United with a 1-0 at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
Thompson Ezekiel scored the game's only goal as Sunshine claimed the only away win of this match day and their second straight road victory. In Katsina, Kano Pillars lost 1-0 to Katsina United in the Northern derby.
The only goal of the game was scored by Martins Usule on 36 minutes to give Katsina the win. In other match day 30 results, Akwa United held Abia Warriors to a 0-0 draw to remain third, Wikki Tourists pipped ABS 1-0 in Bauchi, Sunshine Stars shocked Rivers United 1-0 in Port Harcourt, while Gombe were forced to a 0-0 home draw by Niger Tornadoes.
Report by Miyen Akiri