Big guns falter, MFM go top

MFM FC players

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) powerhouses Enugu Rangers, Enyimba, Kano Pillars and Rivers United posted disappointing results on Wednesday but MFM FC got back to winning ways to go top of the pile.

League champions Rangers put up another show to forget in front of their fans at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu against
Remo Stars who held them to a surprise 1-1 draw.

Daniel Etor's fortunate goal on 14 minutes set Rangers on the path of a likely win until Ekene Awazie's superb solo effort six minutes into the second half pegged the champions back to leave them at the foot of the NPFL table with 13 points though with three outstanding games to play.

Four-time champions Kano Pillars were also held 1-1 at home by Nasarawa United who now appear to have the number of the Sai Masu Gida, having ended their long invincible run of 12 years without a loss at home in the league in 2015.

Pillars got their noses in front as early as the ninth minute and it looked like Kadiri Ikhana's men were going to clean out Nasarawa United but their profligacy in front of goal meant they missed scoring chance after chance.

Just before the hour mark, it was former Kano Pillars striker Adamu Hassan, released after last season, who scored the goal that broke the hearts of Kano fans to leave the score at 1-1 after full time. Despite the draw, Pillars are in fourth place with 24 points, six behind leaders MFM FC.

Two-time African champions Enyimba continued their poor form on the road in the league in recent times as they suffered their sixth defeat this season. Victor Alegbe's 85th minute goal secured a 1-0 win for Wikki Tourists whose head coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru is under pressure to perform or be sacked.

Rivers United just could not breach the backline of Plateau United and ended up playing out a 0-0 draw at their Yakubu Gowon Stadium ground. Their failure to win now means Rivers United have won just one game in their last 10 league matches which leaves them second from bottom.

MFM moved back into top spot after a 2-1 win over Abia Warriors at the Agege Stadium in Lagos. First half goals from Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun put MFM in the driving seat before Sunday Adetunji's late goal proved to be consolation for the visiting team.

Odey has now taken his total goals for the season to 13 in 11 league appearances. He also has two assists.

Mannir Ubale scored a fine goal that helped Gombe United secure their first point on the road this season as they held ABS FC to a 1-1 draw at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin. Chigozirim Metu had given ABS a first half lead before it was cancelled out in the second.

Junior Merenini's goal made sure 3SC got the full points against El-Kanemi Warriors in a 1-0 win after Sunday Faleye's spot kick was saved by the Maiduguri club's goalkeeper George Michael inside the opening 10 minutes of the game.

Federation Cup holders FC Ifeanyiubah could only score once through Godwin Obaje to defeat Niger Tornadoes at their Nnewi stadium while second half goals from Thomas Adesina and Sunday Oluwadamilare for Sunshine Stars killed off the resistance of Katsina United.