High fliers in Group B of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Akwa United and El-Kanemi Warriors were literally manhandled by their opponents in Match Day 16 games decided on Sunday while Group A leaders Rangers cruised on with a slim 1-0 win over MFM FC.
Group B leaders Akwa United were handed a thorough beating by their former coach Abdu Maikaba whose Plateau United team bashed them 3-0 in Jos on Sunday. Jesse Akila, Bernard Ovoke and Amos Gyang scored the goals to ease Plateau’s relegation worries.
In Lafia, El-Kanemi Warriors were handed their heaviest defeat of the season by Nasarawa United who thumped Mohammed BabaGanaru’s men 5-1 with Sunusi Ibrahim netting a brace. Midfielders Isah Ndala and Anas Yusuf also got on the score sheet for United.
Rangers International extended their unbeaten run to thirteen games after a difficult 1-0 win over MFM at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium. Ivorian striker Pascal Seka scored the game’s only goal in the second half, his fifth goal in the last six matches in the league to extend Rangers’ lead at the summit of Group A.
There were five stalemates on Sunday including goalless draws in the games involving Lobi Stars and Enyimba, Kwara United and Bendel Insurance, Remo Stars and Niger Tornadoes while Ajibola Otegbeye’s late penalty handed Sunshine Stars a 1-1 draw at Rivers United. Kano Pillars were also held 1-1 by Gombe United in Kano.
In Omoku, Go Round FC once again relied on a late Adeseun Adelani goal to beat Heattland FC 2-1 while FC Ifeanyiubah were beaten 2-0 by Yobe Desert Stars in Damaturu courtesy of Philip Auta’s brace.
RESULTS
Group A
Rivers United 1-1 Sunshine Stars
Kwara United 0-0 Bendel Insurance
Lobi Stars 0-0 Enyimba
Remo Stars 0-0 Niger Tornadoes
Wikki Tourists 1-0 Katsina United
Rangers 1-0 MFM FC
Group B
Plateau United 3-0 Akwa United
Nasarawa United 5-1 El-Kanemi Warriors
Yobe Desert Stars 2-0 FC Ifeanyiubah
Kano Pillars 1-1 Gombe United
Go Round 2-1 Heartland FC
Delta Force vs Abia Warriors (late kickoff)