NPFL Match Day Two: Ifeanyi Ubah & Plateau United claim big wins
The
Anambra Warriors proved too strong for the
Olukoya Boys, while Kennedy Boboye's side dismantles the Peoples'
Elephants on Wednesday
Enugu Rangers had to fight back from a goal down to snatch a 1-1 draw against Nasarawa United at the Lafia City Stadium on Wednesday.
There was a huge early chance for the visitors, as Bobby Clement at full stretch failed to get on the end of Chiamaka's intelligent cross.
Abdulrahman Bashir drilled wide, but had been flagged offside anyway, while the Lafia crowd started to jeer at the lack of creativity during their sterile possession.
That seemed to spark them into life, as Thomas Zenke's solo effort was horribly flapped away by Bashir.
Rangers almost silenced the Lafia fans. A well drilled free kick from Osas Okoro hit the cross bar.
Ishaya Anyu swung a pass to the path of Adamu Hassan who delivered a world class touch, leaving Nana Bonsou utterly stranded.
Bashir put Hassan through and Christian Madu's block this time was decisive, while Papa Ousmane's header was saved by Suraj Ayeleso at the
near post.
Fortune Omoniwari silenced the home fans with a brilliant touch to beat Seun Sogbeso, before sending the ball beyond the helpless Ayeleso to seal a point for the NPFL champions.
Plateau United 3-1 Enyimba FC
Elisha Golbe's stunning free kick, plus goals from Kabiru Umar and Emeka Umeh saw Plateau United tear apart Enyimba FC 3-1 at the Rwang Pam Stadium.
The victory pushed the Peace Boys to the top of the table with six points from two matches.
It was an action-packed start, as Umar burst down the right and his low drive was fingertipped round the base of the near post by Theophilus Afelokhai.
However, Plateau United struck in an emphatic fashion. Golbe sent a precise angled free kick into the far bottom corner
The lively Umar scored with a moment of astounding quality in the 54th minute. A loose ball was knocked up into the air and, surrounded by defenders, he managed to smash in a spectacular volley from 12 yards.
The dominance was remarkable in Jos and Umeh got on the score-sheet too. The forward pounced to tap in.
Enyimba were shell-shocked, but got one back when Ikechukwu Ibenegbu scored a perfect free- kick.
The People's Elephants so nearly made it 3-2 through Chinedu Ohanachom but his free-kick failed to trouble goalkeeper Gaadi.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah 4-0 MFM FC
Yaya Kone, King Osanga, Jimoh Oni and Ifeanyi Onuigbo were on target as FC Ifeanyi Ubah completely destroyed MFM FC 4-0 in Nnewi.
The hosts had several chances in the opening eight minutes, but could not score against the Olukoya Boys.
Despite their water tight defence and the excellent shot stopping skills of Abayomi Folarin, MFM FC went down after Kone reacted quickest to score from close range in the 11th minute.
The hosts' fertile spell continued when Osanga grabbed his first goal of the season, before Oni made it 3-0.
Substitute Onuigbo rekindled the good times he had during his stint at Heartland with the final goal of the match from a sweet free-kick.
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Shooting Stars
Sunday Oluwadare's second-half angled drive was enough for Sunshine Stars to earn a 1-0 victory against Shooting Stars at the Akure Township Stadium.
Both sides recorded contrasting results in their opening games, Sunshine lost 1-0 to Enyimba FC while Shooting won 2-0 at home to Lobi Stars.
The hosts had a very aggressive start, but Adamu Abubakar clawed away a scuffed Sikiru Alimi's header.
Bala Yahuza whipped in a cross which beat Adamu and Samuel Adebisi stopped Alaba Adeniyi from tapping in at point-blank range.
Adeniyi harassed the entire Shooting Stars defence, eventually forcing Adamu to kick it away for a throw-in, while Ayo Saka horribly ballooned over from a promising position..
The Akure Gunners went close as Alaba's superb ball found Saka for a deflected angled drive inches wide, but so did Shooting Stars as Sunday Faleye just failed to get on the end of a rolled across the face of goal.
Match hero, Oluwadare came off the bench and Sunshine scored in the 78th minute, as he pounced with a precise angled drive into the far bottom corner.
Abia Warriors 2-0 Katsina United
Abia Warriors moved a step closer to the top of the NPFL table with an important 2-0 win over Katsina United at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The Ochendo Babes began the game at a high tempo with their pressing game and squeezing approach.
Godwin Zaki registered the opener for the hom side, before Seun Olulayo wrapped it up.
The win moved Abia Warriors to second place with six points from two games.
Gombe United 2-1 Remo Stars
Manu Garba masterminded Gombe United's impressive fighting spirit as they defeated Remo Stars 2-1 at the Pantami International Stadium.
Captain Victor Mbaoma struck on the 19th minute mark as the Sky Blue Stars led 1-0.
Former TEAP FC and Kwara United attacking midfielder Augustine Oladapo netted a spectacular free-kick some minutes after the half hour.
Substitute striker Fabbassou Djoufoune snatched a late winner as the game ended 2-1 in favour of the Savannah Scorpions.
Niger Tornadoes 1-1 ABS FC
Giant killers ABS FC were forced to a 1-1 draw by Niger Tornadoes at the Confluence Stadium.
The Ikon Allah Boys lost their opening match 3-0 to MFM FC and were eager for the three points at stake but the Saraki Boys, who humbled Akwa United 3-1 were determined in the pulsating game that took place in Lokoja.
ABS boss Henry Makinwa rested his number one goalkeeper Abdullahi Boje, and Dogo Soliu was called upon to shine. It was a decision that was well justified as the latter was impresive behind the sticks.
Former First Bank forward, Wasiu Alalade was handed his NPFL debut in the starting line up.
Powerful striker Mohammed Mohammed latched on to Stone Evbuomwan's pass before
lobbing goalkeeper Mustapha Aliko for the first goal of the match in the 31st minute.
Former Kogi United striker Ebenezer Odeyemi bundled home the equaliser from a goal mouth melee after the away team showed inexperience in clearing their lines some minutes before half time.
The second half saw Dogo proving his mettle as he frustrated Tornadoes with point blank saves.
A draw was the best result for both sides who entertained football lovers at the Confluence Stadium.
Lobi Stars 1-0 Kano Pillars
Lobi Stars narrowly edged past Kano Pillars 1-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium.
There was much tension for both teams ahead of the match in the sense that Lobi Stars were targeting their first win of the campaign while Pillars were hoping to snatch full points which could push them to the summit.
When they took to the pitch, the pressure was evident as both sides showcased some elements of being physical in the early minutes of the game before they settled down.
In the 39th minute, Solomon Kwambe performed the magic as his well taken corner kick evaded everyone including goalkeeper David Obiazo.
From the tunnel, Lobi Stars looked energized and ready to add to their one goal but Pillars could not allow them with pressure mounting every minute in the game.
Akwa United 1-1 Rivers United
Akwa United and Rivers United played out to a 1-1 draw at the ultra modern Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The Promise Keepers were at the ascendancy in a breathtaking fashion after nine minutes. Cyril Olisema side-footed home in the box.
Wing wizard Ovoke Bernard found the back of the net from Nzube Anaezemba's assist for a timely equaliser to the Pride of Rivers.
Three minutes was added after the expiration of the regulation time, but both sides failed to get a goal that would have secured three points.
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