NPFL Matchday 11 Round-up: Kano Pillars Win Big Against Gombe, Enyimba Defeat Sunshine in Aba
The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season is gradually taking shape after matchday eleven round of games.
Kano Pillars had a convincing triumph (5-2) over Gombe United on the road. The ‘avalanche of goals’ started with Yusuf Abdullahi after seven minutes of action as Pillars went ahead. Abdullahi scored yet again seven minutes later.
Meanwhile, Sadiq Shuaibu responded with a goal for Gombe in the 17th minute but Abullahi fired home his third in the 33rd minute. He later registered his fourth and Ahmed Jimoh made it two for Gombe before the first period break. Abdullahi, the most outstanding player over the weekend recorded the fifth goal in the hour mark. Pillars can be seen in 7th having gathered 16 points and the Savannah Scorpions are 16th (12 points).
The spot-kick converted by Chijioke Mbaoma before half-time break was enough for Enyimba to edge Sunshine Stars in Aba. Finidi George led side are now fourth (19 points), whereas the Akure Gunners are 13th, on 13 points.
Junior Osaghae, who was subbed on for Evans Ogbonda in the 80th minute scored the late winner for Monday Odigie’s Bendel Insurance versus Lobi Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. The Benin Arsenal takes the sixth place on 17 points – and the Pride of Benue are above in third with 20 points.
Doma United defeated Niger Tornadoes one nil in Gombe (Pantami Stadium). Nelson Abiam’s header in the latter stages of the first half gave Doma the vital three points. Doma (the Savannah Tigers) managed by Akinade Onigbinde can boast of 21 points thus far, in second and a point behind league leaders, Remo Stars – while Tornadoes (Ikon Allah Boys) occupies the 18th place on 11 points.
Remo Stars got the better of Plateau United by a lone goal in Ikenne and it was Sikiru Alimi, who made the difference for Daniel Ogunmodede’s men a minute after the hour mark. Alimi has now registered nine goals in the current NPFL campaign. The Sky Blues Stars have been elevated to the top having amassed 22 points – and Plateau are 12th (13 points) – with an outstanding game.
Clement Naantuam dribbled past Katsina United defenders to slot the ball into the back of the net fourteen minutes into the game as Paul Offor’s Sporting Lagos secure a 1-0 nil win at Onikan Stadium. The win takes the Noisy Lagosians to tenth (15th points), while Katsina are placed 14th on 13 points.
It ended two-all in the tie between Bayelsa United and Abia Warriors at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex. Ibrahim Dehinde, who replaced Megwo Sunday in the 54th minute assisted Samson Obi for Abia’s first goal in the 76th minute. Dehinde got a goal for himself through Onu Emmanuel’s pass in the 79th minute, but the host fought back to grab a point following Robert Mizo’s brace (9th goal of the season). Mizo pulled one back in the 82nd minute and netted the leveller five minutes later. Bayelsa (the Restoration Boys) have 10 points – 19th on the standings and Abia are 8th with 16 points.
At the Eket Stadium, Akwa United and Kwara United shared the spoils in a 1-1 result. Uche Collins gave Akwa the lead after scoring a penalty in the 43rd minute – and Yusuf Sadeeq restored parity before half-time whistle. The Harmony Boys have garnered 14 points in 11th compared to the Promise Keepers’ 11 points in 17th.
Heartland forced Shooting Stars to a scoreless draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. Kennedy Boboye’s side are languishing at the bottom of the log with 7 points – and Gbenga Ogunbote’s Shooting (Oluyole Warriors) have 18 points in fifth.
Enugu Rangers and Rivers United had their game postponed due to Rivers involvement in CAF Confederation Cup Group C matchday two tie with Dreams FC of Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. Stanley Eguma’s side fell short of victory in a 2-1 result. John Antwi scored the opener in the 35th minute and Abdul Aziz Issah doubled the lead for the Ghanaian outfit in the 74th minute – but Alex Oyowah reduced the deficit for Rivers before stoppage time.
Recall that the Pride of Rivers pipped Angolan side, Academica Do Lobito by three unreplied goals in their first game last weekend at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
After two matches, Rivers are third in Group C with 3 points, same points with Dreams FC, who are second. Club Africain of Tunisia leads the group having accumulated six points – and Academica bottom with no point.
The nine games played in the matchday eleven of the NPFL produced 18 goals – 6 wins and 3 draws. Evidently, it’s a matchday that will remain in the memory of Nigerian football aficionados for a long time after witnessing five goals scored by Yusuf Abdullahi of Kano Pillars.
