NPFL Matchday 13 Round-up: Plateau Claim Away Win, Enyimba Pip Abia Warriors in Derby Clash

The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season has ‘hit’ thirteen (13) round of games following actions in different centres over the weekend.

Plateau United recorded an away win (3-2) over Niger Tornadoes at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. Harrison Ebah broke the deadlock for Plateau as early as three minutes and Bashir Usman netted the leveller with a header in the 52nd minute. Usman grabbed his brace, thus put his side in front 19 minutes later. Albert Hilary struck for an equalizer and Silas Nenrot fired home the winner in the 84th minute. Plateau sits sixth (19 points) with an outstanding game, whereas Tornadoes occupies 19th on 12 points.

Enyimba came out tops in the Abia derby, winning 2-1 against Abia Warriors in Aba. Eze Ekwutoziam gave the host the lead after 39 minutes and Nnachi Chidiebere doubled the lead in the hour mark, while Njoku Augustine, assisted by Arinze Ogbonna pulled one back in the latter stages. Enyimba, with a game yet to be played have 22 points (4th) and Abia are 9th with 17 points.

Daniel Ogunmodede’s Remo Stars pummeled Kwara United two nil in Ikenne. Adebayo Olamilekan opened the scoring in the 25th minute and Samad Kadiri scored the second nine minutes after the hour mark. The Sky Blue Stars maintains the top spot with 26 points and the Harmony Boys are 13th placed with 15 points.

Bayelsa United brush aside Enugu Rangers by two unreplied goals at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex. Kehinde Malik Lawal registered a goal few minutes before half-time whistle and Okorie Ekeson increased the tally in the 78th minute. The Bayelsa outfit didn’t just triumph, they kept their first clean sheet of the ongoing campaign. Despite the success, they are still in the relegation mix with 13 points (17th) and an outstanding game, whereas Rangers are five places above, also with a match left to play, on 15 points.

In a related development, Gombe United were 2-0 winners over Heartland at Pantami Stadium. Umar Abba struck in the first minute and Chijoke Alaekwe sealed it in the 57th minute. Gombe (the Savannah Scorpions) have claimed 15 points (14th) and Kennedy Boboye’s side remains bottom of the log with 10 points.

Seyi Oguntayo’s goal on the stroke of first period action earned Akwa United a 1-0 win against Lobi Stars at Eket Stadium. Lobi have amassed 23 points (third), compared to the Promise Keepers’ 14 in 16th.

Elsewhere, Doma United defeated Kano Pillars one nil, thanks to Emmanuel Ekpenyong’s finish in the 11th minute. Ekpenyong also created another opportunity when he gained a penalty ten minutes later but Emmanuel Jesam, who stepped forward to take the penalty fluffed his lines. Pillars were reduced to ten men after Fahad Usman received a second yellow in the 45th minute. Usman got his first yellow twenty-one minutes into action. Akinade Onigbinde led side sits second on the standings (25 points) – and Pillars are 8th with 19 points.

At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance pipped Sunshine Stars by a lone goal gotten by Benjamin Tanimu through a spot-kick in the third minute. Monday Odigie’s men have gathered 20 points in fifth – and the Akure Gunners are 11th on 16 points.

Shooting Stars and Katsina United shared the spoils in a goal apiece contest at Lekan Salami Stadium. Andrew Idoko scored the opener nine minutes into the game to give Katsina the lead and Malomo Taofeek restored parity for Gbenga Ogunbote’s side in the 15th minute. The Oluyole Warriors are 7th on 19 points, while Katsina are 15th (14 points) and a game in hand.

Sporting Lagos and Rivers United had their tie postponed following Rivers’ involvement with Club Africain of Tunisia in Group C matchday three (3) of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. Stanley Eguma’s side won 1-0 through Nyima Nwagua’s goal in the 43rd minute. The Pride of Rivers are second in the group with six points, tied on points with Club Africain, who are first and Dreams FC of Ghana in third – while Academica of Angola are yet to secure a point, hence bottom of the group.

The matchday thirteen (13) of the NPFL witnessed 19 goals in 9 matches played; 8 wins and a draw.