Enyimba and Heartland claimed important, but hard-fought wins over Ikorocdu City and Remo Stars in the Nigeria Premier Football League match day nine action that happened on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The 2023 Champions of the league, Enyimba, needed a late winner to edge the Oga Boys 2-1 at the Enyimba Stadium in Ibadan. The People’s Elephant, winless in their previous three league matches before coming into the contest, got their noses in front early through Ifeanyi Ihemekwele’s sixth-minute opener. The Lagosians then fought back till Toyeeb Ajeyigbe grabbed the equalizer in the 89th minute. However, defender Moses Adikwu headed home three minutes later to dash the hopes of the visitors and return the Aba side to winning ways.
Similarly, Heartland pipped Remo Stars 1-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. In what was a keenly contested affair between the two teams, the Naze Millionaires secured a much-needed win courtesy of Peter Afolayan’s goal at the expense of Daniel Ogunmodede’s side to climb up to 16th on the log. The Sky Blues remained in second spot.
In the clash of the unbeaten teams in Port-Harcourt, 10-man El-Kanemi Warriors held league leaders Rivers United to a 1-1 draw0. The Warriors drew first blood through Samaila Bello before the home side equalized through Taofeeq Otaniyi.
In Jos, Plateau United defeated Sunshine Stars 3-0. Sadiq Adamu Abubakar scored twice, while former Sunshine Stars man Vincent Temitope continued his fine start to the season with the other goal.
Shooting Stars of Ibadan made it back-to-back home wins following a 2-1 win over Akwa United at the Lekan Salami Stadium. Monday Monday Gideon scored the opener and assisted Joshua Akpan for 3SC’s second before substitute Friday Apollos scored a late consolation for the Promise Keepers.
League’s top scorer Anas Yusuf scored the only goal to help Nasarawa United beat Kano Pillars at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday. The forward took his season tally to nine goals from nine games.
Earlier on Saturday, Abia Warriors defeated Benel Insurance away from home to claim their first maximum points on the road this season. The game’s only goal came from the in-form Sunday Megwo. Meanwhile, the clash between Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes ended 1-1.
The match day will be completed on Monday when the remaining two games will be played.
Results
Bendel Insurance 0-1 Abia Warriors
Katsina United 1-1 Niger Tornadoes
Nasarawa Utd 1-0 Kano Pillars
Plateau Utd 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Heartland 0-0 Remo Stars
Enyimba 1-0 Ikorodu City
Rivers Utd 1-1 El-Kanemi
3SC 1-0 Akwa Utd
Monday fixtures
Lobi Stars v Bayelsa United
Kwara United v Rangers
