It was match day six of the 2018 Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL, season on Wednesday, with six games in various stadiums across the country.
In the ancient city of Kano, it was a battle between two league winners, as former champions, Kano Pillars hosted 2017 winners, Plateau United.
Junior Lokosa scored a brace for Pillars, who defeated reigning champions, Plateau, 2-0 at the Sani Abacha stadium, Kano.
Man of the Match! Junior Lokosa #PILPLA #NPFL18 pic.twitter.com/HDLIZbHcyu
— Kano Pillars FC (@pillarsfc) January 31, 2018
Lokosa scored in the space of six first half minutes to inspire his side past their visitors from Jos.
The forward put the home side ahead in the 20th minute, before rising above everybody else to double their advantage with a header, off a corner, six minute later.
The goals were Lokosa’s fifth and sixth of the season, which means the forward has now scored six goals in as many matches, to top the net busters’ chart.
A deserved win for Pillars, who held off Plateau in the second half to seal the win, and ensure that the three points remained in Kano.
The result sees Sai Masu Gida move up to third on the table, a point behind Plateau in second, and a further two adrift of leaders, Akwa United, who dropped two points in Nnewi.
League leaders, Akwa, traveled to Anambra hoping to consolidate on their position at the top of the log, but were denied all three points by their host, Ifeanyi Ubah Football Club.
Weldon guys pic.twitter.com/VW2qbYGwk8
— Akwa United FC (@AkwaUnited_fc) January 31, 2018
Cyril Olisema put Abdul Makaiba’s side ahead with a 12th minute opener, but Patrick Ikeokwu’s 47th minute equaliser ensured the spoils were shared.
Akwa remain top, however, on 13points, one ahead of defending champions, Plateau, who lost for the second time this season.
Elsewhere, Mountain of Fires and Miracles, MFM FC, made it three home wins in a row, after they defeated Wikki Tourist 2-1 at the Agege Stadium.
Sunshine Stars and Yobe Stars picked up valuable 1-0 wins against El-Kanemi Warriors and Kastina United respectively, while Enyimba continued their newly found form with a 1-0 win over neighbors, Abia Warriors in the derby at Aba.
Full Results
- Enyimba 1-0 Abia Warriors
- FCIU 1-1 Akwa United
- Pillars 2-0 Plateau United
- MFM 2-1 Wikki Tourists
- S. Stars 1-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
- Yobe Stars 1-0 Kastina United
