NPFL: Akwa United go top; Katsina hit five

Akwa United moved to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table after a 2-1 win over Sunshine Stars as the league’s second stanza resumed over the weekend.

Boboye’s United were made to work hard for their victory by Gbenga Ogunbote’s Sunshine. Striker Charles Atshimene opened scoring for the Promise Keepers with a close range finish in the 21st minute but Sadeeq Yusuf equalised in the 35th minute after a goalkeeping error by Adeyinka Adewale.

Midfielder Seth Mayi then scored the winner eighteen minutes from time to send United to top spot on goals difference ahead of Kano Pillars who held Warri Wolves 1-1 in Ozoro. Auwalu Ali Malam gave Pillars the lead before the hour mark but Daniel Mark levelled scores from the spot late on.

Nasarawa United inflicted a 2-1 defeat on hitherto league leaders Kwara United who had a man sent off in the second half. Anas Yusuf and Silas Nwankwo scored for the Solid Miners before Wasiu Alalade netted a stoppage time consolation for Kwara.

Katsina United produced the performance of the weekend in a 5-1 drubbing of Wikki Tourists in Katsina. Striker Abdulrasheed Ahmed scored twice while there was one each for Samuel Nnoshiri, Samuel Kalu and Joseph Atule before Stephen Gopey netted a consolatory goal for Wikki.

Ibrahim Mustapha Yuga scored both goals as Plateau United defeated Abia Warriors 2-1 while Sunday Adetunji scored for the second home game in a row for Rivers United in their 2-0 win over Dakkada FC. Ghanaian winger Paul Acquah scored the other goal on his full debut.

The only away win came in Gombe where Adamawa United lost 0-1 to Heartland. Substitute Kingsley Maduforo scored the only goal of the game ten minutes from time to further condemn Adamawa into relegation likelihood.



NPFL21 Match Day 20 results

Jigawa Golden Stars 2-1 Lobi Stars

Samuel Stone 70′ (PEN), Abdullahi Lala 87′ – Samuel Mathias 84′

Nasarawa Utd 2-1 Kwara Utd

Anas Yusuf 48’, Silas Nwankwo 69’ – Wasiu Alalade 90’


Akwa Utd 2-1 Sunshine Stars

Charles Atshimene 21’, Seth Mayi 72’ – Sadeeq Yusuf 35’


Plateau Utd 2-1 Abia Warriors

Ibrahim Mustapha 6’, 50’ – Fatai Abdullahi 55’


Adamawa Utd 0-1 Heartland

Kingsley Maduforo 80’


Rangers 2-0 Enyimba

Christian Nnaji 57’ (PEN), Elijah Ani 90’ (PEN)

Katsina Utd 5-1 Wikki Tourists

Joseph Atule 16’, Rasheed Ahmed 35’, 74’, Samuel Nnoshiri 39’, Samuel Kalu 62’ – Stephen Gopey 48’


Rivers Utd 2-0 Dakkada

Sunday Adetunji 20’, Paul Acquah 32’


Warri Wolves 1-1 Kano Pillars

Mark Daniel 86’ (PEN) – Auwalu Malam Ali 58’