NPFL: Pillars go top; Akwa set unbeaten record

2014 Champions Kano Pillars on Sunday returned to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2020/2021 season log after a 2-1 win over Enyimba in Sunday’s Match Day 25 encounter decided in Kaduna.

Legendary Rabiu Ali scored from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute to equalise for Pillars after Victor Mbaoma had headed Enyimba in front in the ninth minute. Ali was also involved as Pillars went in front the 76th minute through Ifeanyi Eze who produced a good finish to Nyima Nwagua’s great cross.

In Bauchi, Stephen Gopey’s brace ensured Akwa United could only settle for a share of the spoils against Wikki Tourists at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The former Rivers United star’s 33rd minute goal was cancelled out by Saidu Salisu and Charles Atshimene but Gopey scored again in the 70th minute as both sides settled for a draw.

Despite slipping to second spot, Akwa United extended their unbeaten run to fifteen matches after a 2-2 draw at Wikki Tourists in Bauchi, setting a record in Nigeria’s top flight. Enyimba (in 2005) and Kano Pillars (in 2019/20) had gone on a 13-match unbeaten sequence.

There were two away wins on Match Day 25, Lobi Stars defeated Dakkada FC 0-1 in Uyo courtesy of John Lazarus’ free kick while Plateau United beat Adamawa United 0-2 in Gombe courtesy of one goal in each half by Ibrahim Abubakar Babawo and Muhammed Zulkifilu.

Three other games aside from the Wikki/Akwa game also ended in stalemates. Heartland and Rivers United ended their affair in Owerri in a 2-2 draw with Shedrack Oghali (who scored for Heartland in the reverse fixture) scoring both goals for Rivers United.

The next round of matches hold on Wednesday.


NPFL21 FULL Match Day 25 Results

Adamawa Utd 0-2 Plateau Utd
Abubakar Ibrahim 13’, Muhammed Zulkifilu 69’

Abia Warriors 1-1 FC Ifeanyiubah
Chukwuemeka Obioma 25’ – Patrick Egeonu 10’

Katsina Utd 2-1 Nasarawa Utd
Samuel Nnoshiri 18’ (PEN), Samuel Kalu 29’ – Chigozie Obasi 20’

Kwara Utd 3-0 Jigawa Stars
Nosir Afeez 23’, Wasiu Alalade 48’, 84’

Wikki Tourists 2-2 Akwa Utd
Stephen Gopey 33’, 70’ – Salisu Saidu 37’, Charles Atshimene 53’

Kano Pillars 2-1 Enyimba
Rabiu Ali 52’ (PEN), Ifeanyi Eze 76’ – Victor Mbaoma 8’

Warri Wolves 2-1 Sunshine Stars
Mark Daniel 45’, Walter Ighoakpokire 79’ – Fuad Ekelojuoti 90’

Dakkada 0-1 Lobi Stars
John Lazarus 28’

Rangers 1-1 MFM FC
Ugochukwu Ugwuoke 81’ – Chimezie Izuchukwu 67’

Heartland 2-2 Rivers Utd
Chijioke Akuneto 41’, Chukwudi Nwaodu 53’ – Shedrack Oghali 45’, 62’