Reigning Glo Premier League champions Kano Pillars were thrashed 3-0 by Sunshine Stars, as Enyimba International FC and Rangers International FC shared the spoils in Enugu in a 1-1 stalemate, both on Sunday.
Earlier on Saturday, Gombe United earned the first away point of Match Day 22, after the latter dumped the ‘Restoration Boys’ 1-0 in Yenagoa.
Nasarawa United and Dolphins followed suit but claimed just a points in Uyo and Jos, following a goalless and 1-1 score-draw at Akwa United and Giwa FC respectively.
The parting note of the weekend’s continuation of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), however, ended with a sour outcome for coach Okey Emordi and the ‘Sai Masu Gida’, who without the injured trio of Goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai, midfielder Ezekiel Mbah and striker Gambo Mohammed were reduced to mare boys at the Akure Township Stadium.
Ex-Nembe City young attacker, Musa Newman, completed his brace some few minutes after the hour-mark, both from an assist by Ajani Ibrahim.
Newman poked home a header on 33 minutes off Ibrahim’s precise delivery, before clinically tapping in a pass from Dele Olorundare.
Prince Aggrey low shot landed the final punch on the face of the Pyramid City club on the nick of full-time, as coach Henry Abiodun’s men comfortably earned a deserved win.
Pillars remain top of the NPFL with 37 points while the ‘Akure Gunners’ now have 33 points from a possible 66.
FC Taraba earned a 2-0 win over ten-man Kaduna United at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, courtesy of a Fidelis Saviour’s brace.
The visitors were reduced to ten men after Monday Parmenas received his marching order.
Gbolahan Salami scored from the spot to prove the difference as Warri Wolves pipped Nembe City.
Heartland’s new boy Bobby Clement netted his second goal in a 1-0 win over Crown FC.
Abia are real warriors
In Umuahia, Michael Okoro and Chisom Chikatara claimed three vital points for Abia Warriors in a 2-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors, with both goals scored inside the half-hour mark.
Quote of the day
“We are still top (of the league table). Now we’ll have to return and work hard once again,” Kano Pillars coach, Emordi, on his side’s loss to Sunshine Stars.
Match Day 22 full results Saturday
Bayelsa United 0-1 Gombe United.
Sunday
Abia Warriors 2-0 E-Kanemi Warriors
Akwa United 0-0 Nasarawa United
Rangers 1-1 Enyimba
FC Taraba 2-0 Kaduna United.
Giwa FC 1-1 Dolphins
Sunshine Stars 3-0 Kano Pillars
Heartland 1-0 Crown
Lobi 1-0 Sharks
Wolves 1-0 Nembe