Bayelsa United and Abia Warriors were held at home in crucial games of match day 35 in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Both Bayelsa United and Abia Warriors’ survival hopes were dealt huge blows after they drew against Sporting Lagos and Bendel Insurance respectively on another eventful weekend in the NPFL. Sporting Lagos, who started the match day in the drop zone, scored twice through Jonathan Alukwu at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa before the home side rallied back through a brace from John Bassey. No winner emerged in the relegation six-pointer with three games to go in the season.
In Umuahia, Bendel Insurance put up a strong defensive display against Abia Warriors to extend their unbeaten run in the NPFL to seven games. Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie has also kept five consecutive clean sheets in that period.
Nyima Nwagua’s early second-half goal was all Rivers United needed to beat Shooting Stars in Port-Harcourt. Ibrahim Yusuf’s brace in the final 20 minutes at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure helped Sunshine Stars take all three points in the relegation battle with Akwa United.
Meanwhile, the biggest fixture of the weekend – the Oriental derby between first-placed Rangers and second-placed Enyimba – was abandoned in the final minute of stoppage following a penalty decision that went the way of the home side. It remains to be seen what the league body’s decision will be.
Heartland defeated Doma United 3-1 in Owerri to compound the woes of the Gombe side as they hope to beat the drop. It was a five-goal thriller between Lobi Stars and Remo Stars in Lafia. Sikiru Alimi grabbed his 15th goal of the season for the Ikenne side in the narrow defeat.
Earlier on Saturday, there were home wins for Plateau United and Katsina United, while Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes shared the spoils.
MD 35 results
Bayelsa Utd 2-2 Sporting Lagos
Rivers Utd 1-0 3SC
Sunshine Stars 2-0 Akwa Utd
Heartland 3-1 Doma Utd
Lobi Stars 3-2 Remo Stars
Abia Warriors 0-0 Bendel Insurance
Kano Pillars 1-1 Niger Tornadoes
Plateau United 2-0 Kwara United
Katsina United 4-0 Gombe United
Rangers 0-0 Enyimba (inconclusive)
