Four-time winners of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, Kano Pillars were comprehensively beaten by Sunshine Stars 3-0 in Ijebu Ode on Sunday.
After a goalless first half, the Owena Whales came out better and fired three quick goals through Kamaru Adebari, Michael Olulasi and Babatunde Bello in the space of ten minutes, condemning Sai Masu Gida to their third defeat of the season.
Elsewhere, Samuel Anakwe’s 55th-minute headed goal gave Remo Stars a slim win over Plateau United in Ikenne – the Sky Blue Stars’ third win of the season. The win extends Gbenga Ogunbote side’s lead at the top to two points ahead of second-placed Rivers United.
In Aba, a late goal from Godwin Emmanuel was all the Elephants needed to beat a dogged Shooting Stars side on Sunday.
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FT | Godwin Emmanuel's goal seals it for us in a determined performance.
Enyimba 1-0 Shooting Stars
| 1-0 |#ENYSHO #10Bet | #TogetherForVictory
— Enyimba FC (@EnyimbaFC) January 9, 2022
NPFL Champions Akwa United suffered another defeat on the road as Saidu Mubarak’s 83rd-minute goal for Lobi Stars inflict a second successive league defeat on the visitors in Makurdi.
Chukwudi Nwaodu’s first-half penalty for Heartland was the difference between the Naze Millionaires and Wikki in Owerri. While Samuel Chisom’s opener for Kwara United was canceled out by Ossy Martins for Rangers in Ilorin to help the visitors extend their unbeaten run away from home to three games.
In Lagos, MFM edged Abia Warriors 2-1. Muyiwa Balogun’s first-half opener and an exquisite free-kick from substitute Oladayo Alabi handed MFM a two-goal lead before Chidi Nwachukwu halved the late on, but the Olukoya Boys held on for their second win of the campaign.
Dakkada had to dig deep to beat last year’s AITEO Cup finalists Nasarawa United in Benin. Veteran Aniekan Ekpe, who was later sent off in the second half, gave the Uyo-side the lead from the spot early on before Michael Tochukwu equalized five minutes before the break. Dakkada goalkeeper Loveday Anugbuo then saved Silas Nwankwo’s penalty after the sending off of Samuel Akpan to keep his side in the game before Emmanuel Ayaosi popped up with the winner in stoppage time to end the Solid Miners’ unbeaten run.
Dauda Madaki scored twice in the second half, canceling out Ibrahim Yahaya’s opener, to lead Katsina United to a comeback 2-1 win over Gombe United in Katsina, while Niger Tornadoes and Rivers United played out a goalless draw on Saturday.
FULL-TIME
Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Rivers United
Katsina Utd 2-1 Gombe Utd
Heartland 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Dakkada 2-1 Nasarawa Utd
Lobi stars 1-0 Akwa United
Enyimba 1-0 3SC
Sunshine stars 3-0 Kano Pillars
Kwara Utd 1-1 Rangers
MFM 2-1 Abia Warriors
Remo Stars 1-0 Plateau Utd
Photo Credit: Sport Republic
