NPFL WEEK FOUR REVIEWS: HEARTLAND, WIKKI,
LOBI STARS 2-2 SHARKS FC
Lobi Stars are fast becoming the draw specialists of the Nigeria Professional Football League for the current campaign after the club got their fourth point of the season at home to Sharks in a Match Day Four tie played at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi on Sunday.
The Makurdi side were a goal down in the fifth minute through Blue Angels’ Jaiyeola Yusuf but Lobi staged a fightback and they equalized on the stroke of halftime through Uche Ihuaralam goal before they raced into the lead in the 61st minute through Eche Idakwo.
Though the visitors got a leveler, Lobi had the chance to bury the tie in the dying minute of the encounter when they got a penalty kick but Bunde Moses missed from 12 yards and the tie ended 2-2.
Lobi are on four points from four games while Sharks have five points from same number of games. The Makurdi side are still unbeaten after four games.
BAYELSA UNITED 1-0 FC TARABA
The Restoration Boys have halted FC Taraba’s unbeaten run after they pipped their Match Day Four foes 1-0 at the Oghara Township Stadium on Sunday through the second half strike of Jafar Buhari.
Before the weekend fixture Bayelsa United had only a point got in a 1-1 home draw against Lobi Stars in Benin City but they have moved to four points after four games while FC Taraba have lost their unbeaten streak and the top spot to Heartland FC.
AKWA UNITED 1-0 GABROS INTERNATIONAL FC
The Promise Keepers finally bagged their first home win of the season after Mbang Chukwudike’s 82nd minute goal stopped the resistance of Gabros International FC at the Uyo Township Stadium.
Akwa United have four points from four matches while Gabros are on six points having lost their both away fixtures in Akure and the one in Uyo that was played on Sunday.
Akwa United will travel to Jos for a tie with Giwa FC while Gabros will host Lobi Stars in Nnewi.
ENUGU RANGERS 0-1 GIWA FC
The Flying Antelopes have lost a home match for the first time in three years after they were pinned 1-0 by Giwa FC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday evening.
Ibrahim Shuaibu solitary goal proved the match winner for the Jos Elephant as they enhanced their profile as a team to watch out for again in the league this season.
They moved to seven points from four games while Rangers are on three points from four games. Giwa FC will play host to Akwa United on Wednesday while Rangers will be guest of Dolphins FC in Port Harcourt in a must win clash for both teams.
SUNSHINE STARS 2-1 DOLPHINS
The Akure Gunners got another win at the dead at home to move to seven points from four matches when they needed an injury time winner from Prince Aggrey to beat Dolphins FC 2-1 on Sunday evening.
Sunshine Stars had defeated Gabros International also through a contestable dying minute goal during Match Day Two and they needed similar grace to beat hard fighting Dolphins at the Akure Township Stadium.
Dolphins must dust themselves up from the unfortunate loss in Akure when they tackle Rangers while Sunshine will have to improve on their performance if they want to get something out of the road trip to El Kanemi Warriors on Wednesday.
ABIA WARRIORS 1-2 WIKKI TOURISTS
Abia Warriors are among the three clubs that were beaten at home in the Match Day Four ties played on Sunday with the Umuahia side’s defeat coming in the hands of Wikki Tourists.
Wikki Tourists head coach, Abdu Maikaba had told Goal earlier in the week that his boys would rise up to the occasion in Umuahia and they never disappointed as the Bauchi side sealed a first top flight away win in three seasons.
By the virtue of the away win, Wikki moved to seven points from four matches while Abia Warriors who will travel to Owerri to face Heartland FC next on Wednesday are on four points from as many matches. Wikki will play against Warri Wolves in Bauchi during the mid week matches.
KWARA UNITED 1-3 HEARTLAND FC
The Harmony Warriors have lost their invincibility in the ongoing league season after the Naze Millionaires recovered from a goal down to beat their hosts 3-1 in Ilorin on Sunday evening.
Kwara United had prepared for the match with some time off in Ijebu Ode but they couldn’t find their rhythm against rampant Heartland who are yet to lose any points since the beginning of the season.
Ahmed Jimoh put the home team in the lead but Heartland FC scored three goals of thiers through Mohammed Mohammed, Jimoh Oni and Bright Ejike to race to the top of the league with nine points from three matches. Kwara United are on five points from four matches.
Heartland will welcome Abia Warriors in a local derby while Kwara United must regroup fast against 3SC in Ibadan on Wednesday.
NASARAWA UNITED 0-0 3SC
The Solid Miners couldn’t break the water tight defence of the Oluyole Warriors and had to settle for a draw at the Lafia Stadium on Sunday.
The Lafia side had wanted to use the tie to honour former Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Dr Silas Agara who has become the Deputy Governor elect of Nasarawa State.
They couldn’t get their desired win as they allowed 3SC to get their first point of the season after three games. Nasarawa United now have four points from four matches while 3SC are on one point from three games.
The Oluyole Warriors have a tough home tie against Kwara United while Nasarawa United will face Kano Pillars in another home duel on Wednesday.
KANO PILLARS FC 1-0 ENYIMBA FC
The Sai Masu Gida conquered the People’s Elephant in the redemption tie played in Kano on Sunday evening after Ubong Ekpai’s first half goal separated both sides at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Both clubs represented Nigeria in the Caf Champions League and were also eliminated together in the first round and they had a chance to prove to their supporters that they had not been left weakened by their exits from the Caf club competition.
Pillars lone goal victory was a measure of revenge over Enyimba who beat them 3-1 in the last league tie of the last season which ensured that they had lost all their last league fixtures on the three consecutive seasons they had emerged as league champions.
The Kano side have six points from two matches while Enyimba are on five points from four games. The People’s Elephant by the loss have lost their unbeaten start to the season.
Both Pillars and Enyimba will be playing away from their base against Nasarawa United and FC Taraba respectively.
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