FC Ifeanyiubah 2019 team
Konan salvages wretched Rivers Utd season to leave Insurance relegated
By Promise Etim
Ruffin
Konan’s penalty on 71 minutes was all Rivers United needed to keep
their place in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), as their
guests on the matchday, Bendel Insurance will have to settled for life
in the Nigeria National League (NNL) next season.A win for either side could have been enough to keep any of them in the league. It was also projected that a draw could have possibly secured safety for both sides, depending on outcome of games involving other relegation threatened teams.
Rivers United got the the fixture to a rousing start in the first minute. Bright Onyedikachi was perfectly picked out by Adebambo Ademola, but the former FC Ifeanyiubah winger would only manage a shot off target, 10 yards out.
Moments after, Ademola had a chance to put his side in firm control, when he charged onto the visitor’s defence, before shooting off target from close range.
Bendel Insurance upped the momentum, and almost got rewarded on 22 minutes, when Eze Adimorama’s low drive was poorly handled by Rivers United goalkeeper, Abiodun Akande. Imade Osarenkhoe could only manage to shoot wide from the rebound.
The home side regrouped and took control of proceedings, as the first half drew closer to an end, and almost broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, when Temple Emekayi headed Konan’s corner wide.
Rivers United had to wait till the 71st minute, for what could be described as ‘top flight status moment.’ Referee Grema Momahmmed had ruled defender Efe Enabulele handled the ball inside the penalty box, and awarded the Port Harcourt side a penalty.
Olisema brace earn Akwa United win over FC Ifeanyiubah
By Fisayo Dairo
Substitute
Cyril Olisema scored twice within twelve second half minutes to earn
Akwa United their first win of the 2018/19 NPFL Championship playoffs in
a comeback 2-1 result over FC Ifeanyiubah at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.Ifeanyiubah took the lead in the 33rd minute through Emmanuel Ugwuka but Olisema replied three minutes after the break with a close range finish before completing his brace on the hour mark with a penalty kick.
Olisema was one of three changes made by Akwa United to the side that drew 2-2 against Kano Pillars on Tuesday with Mfon Udoh restored to the starting lineup. Wing back Etboy Akpan and left back Juwon Oshaniwa were the other alterations made by coach Rafael Everton.
FC Ifeanyiubah conceded three goals on opening day in a 1-3 loss to Lobi Stars, goalkeeper Sharp Uzoigwe (who was in goal) was left out of the match day squad for Thursday’s game with first choice Chinedu Anozie recalled. Left back Chinonso Udeh was also recalled to the starting lineup as well as winger Ugwuka.
It was United that had the first real chance of the game in the 11th minute when Udoh set up Godspower Aniefiok with deft chip. The winger however volleyed his effort just wide with only Anozie to beat
It was the turn of Udoh himself in the 18th minute but the joint top scorer in the regular season fired his effort wide when found by a ball over the top from midfielder Marshall Johnson.
With the Promise Keepers looking complacent, Ifeanyiubah got into the game with style and team captain Chijioke Alaekwe should really have done better with an effort in the 21st time, shooting over after a good move by midfielder Tega Ebetomame.
Not to worry though, the Anambra Warriors went in front after the half hour mark through Ugwuka whose effort from just inside the box nestled into the net despite goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke getting a strong hand onto it.
United coach, Everton then made two crucial substitutions before the half time break, removing two of his big name players; Udoh and his Everton’s compatriot Alberico da Silva with Olisema and Paul Obata taking their places. It was the second time in as many games that Da Silva is being yanked off in the first half.
The move proved to be an inspired one and with just three minutes into the second half, Olisema was at the right place and at the right time to rifle home a rebound after Aniefiok’s left footed effort was well saved by Anozie.
Olisema’s second would follow on the hour mark after Ifeanyiubah centre back Charles Okafor handled Ndifreke Effiong’s cross inside the penalty box, leaving referee Basheer Salihu with no choice than to point to the spot. The former MFM FC player sent Anozie the wrong way to score what turned out to be the winner in the end.
The Uche Okagbue led FC Ifeanyiubah looked to claw their way back into the game but came short in the end as a couple of long range efforts from right back Promise James went over.
Kadiri, Alimi joint force strike down FC Ifeanyiubah
By Fisayo Dairo
Lobi
Stars FC opened their NPFL Championship Playoffs campaign with an
impressive 3-1 win over FC Ifeanyiubah in a night game at the Agege
Stadium, Lagos on Tuesday.Lobi’s strike partnership of Samad Kadiri and Sikiru Alimi was responsible for the three goals scored by the Pride of Benue in a richly deserved victory in the last match on the opening day of the Playoffs.
They made a dream start in the second minute when Kadiri was put through on goal by Kelly Kester and the striker made no mistake from close range, rifling his effort into the roof of Sharp Uzoigwe’s net.
In spite of the early goal, the game struggled to get a definite rhythm for the next quarter of an hour of football as a cagey contest ensued among both sides. Lobi stars John Lazarus and Sikiru Alimi had efforts off target while Tega Ebetomame also had his own long range volley going over.
Uche Okagbue’s Ifeanyiubah team who were the surprise package of the 2018/19 abridged season again provided a spark of electrocuting this seeson’s CAF Champions League campaigners Lobi Stars when they levelled five minutes before the break.
It was Ebetomame that got on the end of an inswinging free kick by right back Promise James. The midfielder was shockingly left unmarked and duly punished their opponents by guiding his header perfectly home from close range.
Lobi almost went back in front though in first half stoppage time but Samuel Mathias’ free kick was tipped onto the cross bar by Uzoigwe before defender Charles Okafor cleared the rebound.
Lobi Stars went into the game at the back of a nine-game unbeaten run in the league and really looked good to extend the sequence in the first half before Ebetomame’s shock goal.
They resumed the second half though with renewed vigour and Mathias once again crashed an even farther and better free kick from 30 yards onto the cross bar.
Osadiaye steals show as Enyimba beat Rangers in NPFL playoff opener
Joseph
Osadiaye stole the show with a touch of class in the 50th minute as
Enyimba edged Rangers 1-0 in the opening game of the Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL) Championship Playoffs at the Agege
Stadium on Tuesday.Both teams had the odd chance throughout the game, with veteran midfielder Ikechukwu Ibenegbu going close to breaking the deadlock when he hit the woodwork just before half-time, while at the other end Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai was alert to parry Ifeanyi George’s shot.
The breakthrough came five minutes after the interval as Mustapha Ibrahim teed up Osadiaye to drive home a well-placed strike.
There were few other clear-cut goalscoring chances for either side as Rangers tried to fire back through Ifeanyi George and Michael Uchebo but both fired blanks as the People’s Elephant recorded their first win in the playoff.
Whilst the overall performance may not have been the best the fans at the Agege Stadium have ever seen, Enyimba will be delighted to have picked up three points going into their next game.
Dayo Ojo stars as Sunshine Stars escape relegation in thriller
By Olayinka Owolewa
MFM
FC could not produce enough fire power to beat Sunshine Stars who
pulled off a big performance in a 4-2 win over the visitors on the final
day of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) regular season.Midfield maestro, Ekundayo Ojo, who was voted the man of the match, grabbed a hat-trick in the Matchday 22 encounter which was played at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday.
The victory means Sunshine Stars avoided relegation and would campaign in the 2019/2020 NPFL season but for MFM it ended their aspiration of playing in the Super-6.
The hosts began the match on a high tempo, as they dictated most of the proceedings in the early stage of the match before the visitors settled in gradually.
Anthony Omaka who captained the Akure side, had two early chances wasted in the second and fifth minute leaving many anxious fans at the stadium frustrated with a couple of them holding their heads in despair.
Seun Olulayo forced MFM goalkeeper Olatunji Odekunle to a big save in the 15th minute from a free kick as the stopper stretched to the limit to parry to corner.
The referee Imam Malik awarded a penalty to the hosts in the 16th minute, when an MFM defender was ruled to have handled the ball in his goal area.
Lobi seal place in Super-6 after goalless draw at relegated Remo Stars
By Tola Badekale
Lobi
Stars booked their place in the Super-6 playoffs after a professional,
if boring performance against already relegated Remo Stars in a 0-0 draw
on Sunday.It was a match that encapsulated Remo Stars’s struggles in front of goal as seen all through the season. The home side did not even muster a shot at goal for the first 30 minutes of the game and did not get one on target until the second half.
Lobi Stars created much of the openings, but they mainly resulted in half chances. The closest they got were through well taken free kicks by Solomon Kwambe; one saved by goalkeeper Abuchi Okeke and the other just a few inches wide of the mark.
Those free kicks sandwiched a shot from distance by his teammate, Ebube Duru which was straight at Okeke.
Osadiaye steals show as Enyimba beat Rangers in NPFL playoff opener
Joseph
Osadiaye stole the show with a touch of class in the 50th minute as
Enyimba edged Rangers 1-0 in the opening game of the Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL) Championship Playoffs at the Agege
Stadium on Tuesday.Both teams had the odd chance throughout the game, with veteran midfielder Ikechukwu Ibenegbu going close to breaking the deadlock when he hit the woodwork just before half-time, while at the other end Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai was alert to parry Ifeanyi George’s shot.
The breakthrough came five minutes after the interval as Mustapha Ibrahim teed up Osadiaye to drive home a well-placed strike.
There were few other clear-cut goalscoring chances for either side as Rangers tried to fire back through Ifeanyi George and Michael Uchebo but both fired blanks as the People’s Elephant recorded their first win in the playoff.
Whilst the overall performance may not have been the best the fans at the Agege Stadium have ever seen, Enyimba will be delighted to have picked up three points going into their next game.
Abia Warriors dump Kano Pillars in emphatic win to escape drop
By Chibuogwu Nnadiegbulam
Abia
Warriors enjoyed an emphatic 3-0 victory over Kano Pillars in an NPFL
Matchday 22 encounter decided at a rain-soaked Umuahia Township Stadium
on Sunday to escape relegation.Needing an outright win to save themselves from the dreaded drop to the Nigeria National League (NNL), the hosts relied on goals from Tunde Atilola Abdulsalami, Obi Samson, and Emeka Isaac to extend their stay in the topflight. The visitors, on the other hand, already knew that even a loss in Umuahia could not push them below second place in Group B.
Since making their NPFL debut in 2014, Abia Warriors have faced Kano Pillars on 11 occasions both home and away, with Pillars amassing seven victories to Warriors’ one – which was also a 3-0 win two years ago. Both sides have shared the spoils three times, and all of those draws came in Umuahia.
In summary, Pillars have not only exercised absolute superiority over Warriors in Kano, they have also made Umuahia a perfect hunting ground for away points. But their 12th meeting on Sunday was different as there was more at stake for Warriors than just three points.
The hosts kept faith with 10 of the 11 players that started in their draw at Akwa United on Matchday 21. The only alteration was Obi Samson replacing Anthony Okemmiri. The same was the case with Pillars, who defeated Delta Force in their last game, as Nzube Anaezemba got the nod to start ahead of Alassan Ibrahim.
Abia Warriors could not have asked for a better start to this crucial game after Abdulsalami, who had fumbled a chance earlier, found the back of the net in the 9th minute. The goal came from an attack initiated by Ibrahim Olawoyin whose initial effort was headed out but Abdulsalami was on hand to guide a volley past Idrissu Ibrahim. A minute earlier, Pillars captain Rabiu Ali had fired a freekick over the bar from 30 yards out.
The first half was largely an end to end affair but Warriors created better chances with winger Olawoyin making exciting runs, while Obi Samson and Abdulsalami mounted pressure on the Pillars defence. In the 23rd minute, Samson teed up Abdulsalami, who was in a great position to strike, but the latter slipped.
Pillars’ best chance of the first half came via a surprise shot taken by Chris Madaki from the left but Joshua Enaholo happened to be alert as he punched away the ball which looked to be flying over his head and into the net.
By the start of the second half, the rain which began to fall in the 30th minute, became intense and Abia Warriors grabbed the initiative as they proved to be experts in playing football in the rain. Jimoh Oni first tested Kano Pillars goalkeeper Idrissu Ibrahim with the second kick of the second half but his effort went wide.
Then two minutes later, Samson won a penalty after he was brought down by Adeshola David but the striker shockingly blasted his effort over the bar. He would eventually score his seventh goal of the season in the 52nd minute, when he was gifted an open net. Idrissu could not get a grip on a long ball that was aimed at his area and a lurking Samson took advantage. Idrissu, who had kept 11 clean sheets prior to the game, suffered an injury from his failed move and had to be replaced by Danladi Isa in the 57th minute.
Oguchi-inspired Heartland swap relegation destiny with El-Kanemi
By Fisayo Dairo
Two
goals, one in each half were all Heartland FC needed to condemn
El-Kanemi Warriors to relegation in a 2-0 defeat at the Okigwe Stadium
on the final day of the 2018/19 Nigeria Professional Football League
(NPFL) regular season.Chukwudi Nwaodu and Uche Oguchi (from the penalty spot) scored for the Naze Millionaires who dug deep on the final day to trade relegation places with their visitors in what is certainly an anti-climax to what promised to be a great season for the Warriors.
With Delta Force held 0-0 by Plateau United in Asaba, Heartland’s victory not only guaranteed safety for the Owerri club but brought down Mohammed BabaGanaru’s men who were actually favourites to finish in the top-three just five matchdays ago.
Given both teams’ position on the log before Sunday’s decider, it became a winner-takes-all encounter between the two traditional clubs on the resplendent turf of the new stadium situated at a very vintage passer-by gaze along the Shukuk-ceded Umuahia-Enugu expressway.
It was not a game for the faint-hearted so both coaches called on experienced campaigners to help them out. Chijioke ‘Arugo Monkey’ Ejiogu, famous for his heroics in 1999 FA Cup was placed in goal for Heartland with experienced centre-back Uche Michael and former Lobi Stars man Felix Osia recalled for this game.
El-Kanemi meanwhile had Isiaka Olawale, a midfielder with over 15 years of participation in Nigeria’s top flight starting in midfield alongside former league winner Abdulrazak Aliyu while Canada 2007 winger Bello Musa Kofarmata, a former Heartland player too, was included in the starting line-up.
The tension was quite easy to feel at the outset with tentative decisions made by both set of players. While that lasted though, Oguchi’s set-piece deliveries was bound to be the game changer for the hosts.
Former Enyimba striker Chinonso Okonkwo should indeed have given Heartland the lead in the 11th minute but his header from an unmarked position inside the box to Oguchi’s corner flew high and wide of Itodo Akor’s right hand post.
The hosts however got their breakthrough through the same route in the 23rd minute. Another Oguchi out-swinging corner was this time knocked down by Okonkwo with Nwaodu at the right place and at the right time to poke home from three yards out.
With the visitors now practically confined to their half of the pitch, Heartland continued to probe in search of an insurance goal – no pun intended. Oguchi was a veritable outlet for Ramson Madu’s men with his set-piece deliveries and another of such was headed over at the far post by Uche Michael.
The second half started on a rather dour note as the afternoon sunshine gave way to a cloudy weather, giving hints of an imminent downpour that would later last for over three hours from stoppage time.
Heartland went close to getting their second on the hour mark but Nnamdi Egbujor had a chipped effort rolling wide after impressive play by right-back Godwin Emmanuel.
Kwara United end winless run to stay in race for survival
By Toyin Ibitoye
Kwara
United picked up their first victory in eight games with a 2-1 win over
the already relegated Remo Stars in Ilorin on Monday.The win leaves the Ilorin club with only a fighting chance of avoiding the drop.
Uche Onwuasoanya’s emphatic finish in the 74th minute, followed by Razaq Alamoyo’s exquisite lob over Remo Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Fabiyi five minutes later, appeared to have put the home team in cruise control until added time when Victor Mbaoma tapped in from close range, off an Omotayo Adebogun cross, to restore some pride for the visitors.
The rush of goals late in the game made up for a dour first half in which both teams were contented with cancelling out themselves.
The hosts were faster out of the blocks, carving out some early opportunities, forcing the defenders of the visitors to some last ditch clearances. As the minutes went by, the visitors responded with some swift passing and brilliant off the ball runs to keep proceedings even.
Knowing that a draw will seal their fate and confirm their drop, Kwara United’s coach Ashifat Suleiman made changes just before the resumption of the second half. Urgency was injected into the team’s attack and it was only a matter of time before the goals would come.
Enterprising veteran Sunday Emmanuel picked up a pass in midfield and tapped it to a teammate whose dummy allowed the ball roll into Onwuasoanya’s path. Onwuasoanya went on a pacy solo run before unleashing a rocket that flew past Fabiyi in goal for Remo Stars.
English Premier League Table - 2019-20
English Premier League
| 2019-2020 | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Liverpool | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 |
2 Manchester City | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 7 |
3 Arsenal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
4 Leicester City | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 |
5 Manchester United | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 4 |
6 Burnley | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 |
7 Tottenham Hotspur | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 |
8 Brighton & Hove Albion | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
9 Sheffield United | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
10 Crystal Palace | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
11 AFC Bournemouth | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
12 Everton | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 4 |
13 Chelsea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 4 |
14 West Ham United | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 4 |
15 Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
16 Aston Villa | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
17 Norwich City | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 3 |
18 Southampton | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
19 Newcastle United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
20 Watford | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
MFM leave it late against Katsina United to brighten playoff chance
By Tola Badekale
MFM
FC put life into their aspiration of reaching the title playoff in the
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a 2-1 win over Katsina
United at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Monday.A match in which MFM wasted a handful of chances had to be settled by a classic injury time beauty.
Substitute Michael Ohanu came on wearing the number 9 as the man to get the goal, but instead, he was a superb creator of a much needed winner. Ohanu dribbled his way down the flank and his cross was inch perfect to the height and approach of full back, Jonathan Zikiye who nodded firmly past a despairing Danjuma Paul.
The late winner, which arrived four minutes into the extra five given, was the least MFM deserved from a determined play, even though Katsina United were for many moments, very plucky opponents. One such moment was the equaliser, a header by their captain, Timothy Danladi which was as good as it was in many wise, unexpected. That was five minutes after the restart.
Go Round dent Nasarawa United’s playoff hopes
By Clement Nwankpa Jr
Nasarawa
United’s playoff hopes were virtually extinguished as they came from
behind twice to draw 2-2 with Go Round at Lafia City Stadium.While the result jolted the Solid Miners ambitions, it boosted Go Round’s chances of survival the drop.
The hosts were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal with Thomas Adesina the biggest culprit.
Going into the game, Nasarawa United had an outside chance of nicking a playoff ticket on the last day but needed to pocket maximum points at home to Go Round first.
Meanwhile, Go Round knew a loss will almost seal their return to the Nigeria National League (NNL) and came into the game desirous of picking desired result.
Did Nasarawa United players actually realise the need to be precise in front of goal on a day like this?
They had good chances to put the game beyond the visitors during the earlier exchanges but Adesina fluffed begging opportunities.
In the 10th minute, Abubakar Abdulahi’s cross left Go Round keeper Godwin Dede stranded. All Adesina needed to do was tap into an empty net but he shockingly sent the ball over the cross bar.
But the biggest miss came in the 33rd minute. A mix-up in Go Round defense brought Adesina face-to-face with Dede. The keeper went down early, Adesina merely had to guide the ball in, some spectators were already celebrating, but the big striker rather chose to pass to Sunusi Ibrahim. The latter wasn’t expecting the pass and the ball rolled leisurely into goal-kick.
Five minutes later, Nasarawa United were behind. A clash of heads involving defenders Abubakar Abdullahi and Martins Chidume paved the way for Joshua Oseni to give Go Round the lead.
Both defenders were rushed to the hospital as the hosts were forced into early substitutions with Ismaila Mayaki and Manga Mohammed coming on.
At the restart, there were expectedly some urgency and directness from the hosts and in the 65th minute, Sunusi Ibrahim grabbed his eighth goal of the season curling in from the edge of the box.
Nasarawa were pushing for the winner and were caught napping in the 75th minute. On the counter, Go Round had a two against one advantage in Nasarawa’s half and Oseni teed-up strike partner Chiebonam Nwobaga who hit past hapless Nasarawa keeper Friday Achimugwu.
Kano Pillars seal Super Six spot, Tornadoes relegated
By Fisayo Dairo
Three-time
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions Kano Pillars on
Monday confirmed their place in the season-ending Super Six playoff with
an emphatic 3-0 drubbing of Delta Force in Kano in one of the full
programme of activities on the penultimate Matchday of 2018/19 regular
season.Although many other matters in the league were left unresolved until the final day, Kano Pillars’ confirmation of a top-three finish and Niger Tornadoes’ relegation in Group A were settled on a day of twist-and-turns in results across the 12 match centres.
The ageless Rabiu Ali set Pillars en route to a routine victory with a 19th minute penalty before further goals in the second half from Auwalu Ali Malam and Yusuf Maigoro put Mbwas Mangut’s side to the sword and all but put paid to their late rally for a playoff spot.
In Maiduguri, FC Ifeanyiubah put themselves in pole position to join Pillars and already qualified Akwa United as Group B’s representatives with a superb 1-0 win away to El-Kanemi Warriors in a game played behind closed doors. Striker Chibuike Ezeh scored for a second game in a row to take the Anambra Warriors to just within a point of sealing a Top Three spot.
Monday’s trend of results ensured that only Yobe Desert Stars are condemned to the second tier in Group B after Gombe United, Plateau United and Go Round FC all secured results in their games, the latter denied by a last gasp goal at Nasarawa United.
Left winger Yusuf Abdulazeez’s strike in the 72nd minute gave Gombe United a 1-0 win over Heartland at the Pantami Stadium and Ladan Bosso’s men are now within one point of their visitors going into the final day while Plateau United climbed out of the relegation zone with a comfortable 2-0 win over 10-man Yobe Desert Stars courtesy of Amos Gyang (penalty) and Godwin Obaje’s goals in each half.
Go Round were just seconds away from achieving the best result of the Match Day but Abubakar Lawal’s 90th minute goal ensured honours were shared among both sides in a 2-2 draw. Joshua Osem and Chiebonam Nwogbaga gave Go Round the lead twice in the game but twice were they pegged back through goals by Sunusi Ibrahim and Lawal.
Group leaders Akwa United also left it late to deny Abia Warriors a safety net when Ocheme Edoh headed home in the 89th minute to secure a 2-2 draw for the hosts at the Nest of Champions. Midfielder Fatai Abdullahi and substitute Obi Samson twice gave Warriors shock leads in Uyo but Rafael Everton’s men replied in each situation with goals from Godspower Aniefiok and Edoh.
Abia Warriors keep survival aspiration alive with draw at Akwa United
By Promise Etim
Abia
Warriors brightened their chances of beating the drop with a hard
fought 2-2 draw away to Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo
on Monday.With Akwa United already through to the playoff, it was expected the team would drop some of their key players in preparation for the tourney. Ndifreke Effiong was not part of the matchday squad, as a result of condition that facilitated his transfer to the Uyo side.
The visitors kept faith with 10 of the 11 players who were part of the team that defeated El-Kanemi Warriors on Matchday 20. Only alteration was Anthony Okemmiri replacing Paul Samson.
Abia Warriors took the lead, just moments before the half hour, when Fatai Abdullahi finished off a scintillating team work, 15 yards off, to set the tone for what would be a pulsating fixture.
The home side responded quickly on 31 minutes, when Godspower Aniefiok guided Wisdom Fernando’s brilliant cross past Joshua Enaholo for the equalizer, both sides would settle for the spoils as the first half came to an end.
With nine minutes to time, Abia Warriors went in front again. Substitute Obi Samson got to the end of a poorly directed pass, to slide in between Akwa defenders, before squeezing past goalkeeper, Emmanuel Iwu.
Nasarawa United beat Gombe United, keep playoff alive
By Clement Nwankpa Jr
Nasarawa
United sustained an outside chance of picking one of Group B’s playoff
tickets with a 2-1 victory over Gombe United at the Lafia City Stadium
on Thursday.On the contrary, the result deepens Gombe United’s relegation woes.
Considering how close the teams were on the log prior to the game, anything short of the maximum points could have thrust the hosts closer to the relegation zone.
Well aware of this, the Solid Miners were on the front foot from the moment striker Thomas Adeshina kicked off the game.
They should have met their match in Gombe who needed the game to keep survival hopes alive but the visitors put up very little fight in the first half most times from the lively Chukwudi Samuel.
In a game of two halves, Gombe’s more spirited performance in the second half became late as the hosts’ overwhelming first half dominance proved decisive.
With Abubakar Lawal pulling the strings, Nasarawa put up a performance in the first half that blew the visitors apart.
In the 7th minute, Anas Yusuf nodded Lawal’s inch-perfect cross narrowly wide.
Solid Miners would have opened scores in the 24th minute when Gombe United goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel spilled Ismaila Mayaki’s harmless cross the way of Sunusi Ibrahim but with the net unguarded, the striker blasted wide.
Four minutes later, Nasarawa scored through Adeshina. Sunusi scooped the ball to the big target man who nodded in from close range.
Plateau United hold Go Round in relegation six-pointer
By Fisayo Dairo
Plateau
United earned what could be a precious point in their fight against
relegation with a 1-1 draw at fellow battlers Go Round FC in Omoku on
Thursday.Striker Kabiru Umar’s 71st minute effort for Abdu Maikaba’s men cancelled out Chiebonam Nwogbaga’s 41st minute header for the hosts who are now winless in their last four matches.
Go Round went into the game having lost their last two matches and head coach Willy Udube dropped centre back Adekunle Adeleke for Odinaka Onyirimba while winger Joshua Osem was handed a starting berth.
Plateau meanwhile welcomed centre back Elijah Ogene after a long time out while Daniel Itodo was preferred to Gabriel Wassa at left back role.
It was the visitors that started the game on the front foot and they could easily have scored in the 7th minute had Itodo done better with Amos Gyang’s corner with the goalkeeper Godwin Dede already displaced.
Former Remo Stars midfielder Ochowechi Salefu Odoba went close twice with long range efforts for the visitors in the opening quarter of an hour before a major talking point in the game came up.
A corner kick by Plateau’s right back Chizoba Amaefule was defended by Nwogbaga and Akaba Otega with the ball ricocheting off the chest of the former into touch. Referee Olayinka Olajide quite bizarrely pointed to the spot for a penalty but after serious protests by players and coaches of the home team, the centre referee then twice consulted with his Assistant Referee Aminu Usman.
First, Olajide reiterated his penalty decision by pointing to the spot again but after another round of consultation with Aminu, he then rescinds the decision to give a goal kick.
That decision seemed to be the needed spark to bring the hosts’ wary plugs into life as they took charge of proceedings from thence. Creative midfielder Ololade Sadiq brought the best out of Plateau goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye in the 28th minute. The Nigerian international palming away his 25-yard volley.
Two minutes later, Go Round missed what should have been the curtain raiser when Osem hit his effort from just inside the box over after Ajiboye had tipped Philip David’s low cross into his path. Ajiboye would then deny David at his near post in the 34th minute.
That was David’s last contribution of the game as he succumbed to an ankle injury with Vincent George replacing him in the 40th minute. While David’s loss was a devastating blow for Udube’s side, they went in front with virtually George’s first contribution of the game.
The left back found space and time to pick out two of his teammates inside the box and it was Nwogbaga who had the last touch in the mould of a flick, leaving Ajiboye rooted to one spot.
Sarki’s strike downs MFM, puts life into Tornadoes survival bid
By Kola Daniel
Ismaila
Sarki’s second-minute header was all that Niger Tornadoes needed to
record 1-0 win against MFM FC in a Matchday 20 fixture of the Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL) played at the Bako Kontagora
Stadium, Minna on Wednesday.Niger Tornadoes safe-hands, Mustapha Aliko kept his place in goal for the Ikon Allah Boys while MFM dropped six players from the side that played a 1-1 draw against Remo Stars in Lagos on Matchday 19.
The hosts took an early lead after two minutes of play when Sarki’s header off a cross from Wisdom Jumbo beat MFM goalkeeper, Olatunji Odekunle.
Few minutes after the opening goal MFM were handed a bright opportunity to draw level but Aliko positioned himself well and saved Joshua Abah’s glacing header off a cross from Chijioke Akuneto.
The hosts had a chance to double the lead in the 28th minute when Jumbo tested Odekunle with a well-taken free kick but the goalkeeper was quick to punch the ball to safety.
With less than five minutes to wrap the first half, Akuneto was brought down in a dangerous position and the referee signalled for a free kick. Kenneth Elom took the free kick but his effort went wide.
On resumption, both teams made changes to their playing personnel in order to carry the day but all their efforts to score proved abortive. Tornadoes introduced Saib Dosso for Ahmadu Liman after 15 minutes in the second half while MFM substituted Simon ThankGod for Adeniji Adewole Kabir in the 62nd minute.
Adeniji made an early impact after his introduction when he tried a shot few metres away from Tornadoes’ box but Aliko calmly dealt with it to deny the visitors the equalizer.
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