NPFL: Remo Stars, Rivers United extend unbeaten run

Matchday seven of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2021/22 season took centre stage on Wednesday. 

In the North Central derby in Jos, Plateau United edged Nasarawa United 3-2. Midfielder Haggai Katoh handed the hosts the lead against his former side before Uche Ihuarulam leveled minutes before HT.

After the break, inform forward Akila Jesse put his side back in front in the 50th minute before Mohammed Zulkifilu further increased the lead for the Peace Boys. Tochukwu Michael converted a spot-kick for the Solid Miners late on but it was not enough as Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side held on for a win.

Elsewhere in Lagos, MFM fell 3-1 to visiting Rivers United at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. First-half goals from Chijioke Akuneto and Ishaq Rafiu had given the visitors the comfortable lead at the break before Uche Onwuasonaya added a third, only for Tosin Olubobola to score a consolation goal for the Church boys six minutes from time. The result left MFM bottom of the log with just six points.

Abubakar Aliu’s 65th-minute goal was all Wikki Tourists needed to beat Dakkada in Benin and claim their first away win of the season. Meanwhile, Katsina United and Lobi Stars played out a goalless draw at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium in Katsina.

Resurgent Sunshine Stars defeated Gombe United 2-0 at the Ijebu Ode Stadium on Wednesday. Promise Orji handed the Owena Whales the lead in the fifth minute before Babatunde Bello struck a wonderful free-kick after the break to hand Deji Ayeni’s side their second win of the season.

Martins Usule’s second goal of the season and Munir Idris’ second-half goal condemned Shooting Stars to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Niger Tornadoes in Abuja.

League leaders Remo Stars narrowly beat Abia Warriors 1-0 at their home ground in Ikenne. It was a keenly contested affair that needed the intervention of mercurial midfielder Dayo Ojo to score the game’s only goal two minutes after the hour mark.

Kabir Balogun’s exquisite free-kick three minutes after the break handed all three points to Kwara United against Kano Pillars at the Kwara Sports Complex on Thursday. The result left Kano Pillars without a goal on their travels after four games and a point above the drop zone.

The Oriental derby between Heartland and Rangers will hold on Friday, while the final game of the matchday, Enyimba v Akwa United, will take place in Aba next Wednesday.

RESULTS
Katsina Utd 0-0 Lobi
Sunshine Stars 2-0 Gombe Utd
Tornadoes 2-0 3SC
MFM 1-3 Rivers Utd
Dakkada 0-1 Wikki
Plateau Utd 3-2 Nasarawa Utd
Kwara United 1-0 Kano Pillars
Remo Stars 1-0 Abia Warriors