Plateau, El-Kanemi keep top-two spot

El-Kanemi players

Nigeria Professional Football League leaders Plateau United and El-Kanemi Warriors remained as top two after routine wins in Matchday 13 fixtures on Sunday.

Plateau United dispatched Kano Pillars 2-0 and El-Kanemi cruised past Niger Tornadoes by the same scoreline at their Maiduguri stadium.

Ibeh Johnson opened the scoring for Plateau United on 15 minutes to set the tone for his table-topping team against the four-time champions.

About 580 kilometres away from the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos, where Plateau United were leading 1-0, El-Kanemi Warriors found it hard
to breach Tornadoes in the early minutes. They had to wait for 35 minutes for Samuel Mathias to score off Hussaini Bata's assist.

There was to be no more goalscoring in both games as they went into the break with a goal lead each.
It took Plateau United 10 minutes to double their lead in the second when Elisha Golbe headed in from close range.

In Maiduguri, Ibrahim Babangida applied the finish from Aghahowa Otakho's flick to make it 2-0 to EL-Kanemi over Tornadoes on 56 minutes.

The two teams ran out 2-0 winners apiece and their successes kept Plateau United in top spot with 25 points, one more than El-Kanemi in second place.

New boys Remo Stars scored three times in a single NPFL game for the first time as they romped to a 3-0 win over ABS FC. Ekene Awazie, Salefu Oche and Benjamin Felix scored for the Sky Blue Stars.

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) left it very late when substitute Nonso Mbakwe scored in stoppage time of the second half to cancel Samuel Agba's first-half goal for Gombe United from the spot to share the points in a game that ended 1-1.

Abia Warriors laboured to a 2-1 win over Lobi Stars under soggy conditions at the Umuahia Stadium.

Anthony Okemmiri's goal for Abia Warriors on 10 minutes lasted just four minutes before Kingsley Eduwo's strike levelled matters for Lobi.

Lobi's Chinedu James turned the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear his lines, and that handed Abia Warriors the win.
FC Ifeanyiubah continued their struggling form on the road this season as they lost 0-2 at Nasarawa United. Adamu Hassan and Aminu Kadir scored for Nasarawa United.

Ubong Friday's double inspired Akwa United to a 3-1 win against Sunshine Stars. The Akure Gunners stunned their hosts when Bala Yahuza equalised to put the score at 1-1 on 22 minutes after Musa Newman had opened the scoring for Akwa United.

Two quickfire goals just before the break summed up the afternoon as Akwa United ran out 3-1 winners. The win has moved Akwa United into sixth position while Sunshine Stars are in 15th place.