Plateau United’s title celebrations were put on hold after the Tin City side dropped points at home against relegation battlers Rivers United in the peak of Sunday’s shocking results in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
Plateau needed maximum points to all but secure the league title with two games to spare but in fact were within one minute of suffering their first home loss of the season courtesy of Emeka Ogbugh’s first half goal for Rivers.
Peter Eneji’s late strike rescued the day for the Champions elect after Emma James had wasted a chance from the penalty spot nine minutes from time.
The result in Jos gave second placed MFM some scant hopes in the title race but they could not help themselves in a 1-0 loss at Abia Warriors.
Midfielder Arinze Nwangwu headed home the game’s only goal after 66 minutes in a game played on a slippery and difficult surface in Umuahia. The leaders still enjoy a 4-point gap over MFM
The performance of the weekend came from 4th placed Enyimba whose rampaging victory over Wikki Tourists in Calabar saw them move level with 3rd placed Akwa United on points and goals difference.
Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Stephen Chukwude, Chinonso Okonkwo and Stanley Dimgba were on the score sheet as Gbenga Ogunbote’s men ran out 4-0 winners in Sunday’s televised game.
Adamu Hassan’s first half goal handed Nasarawa United a 1-0 win over his former side Kano Pillars in Sunday’s mere classification game in Lafia.
Hassan headed home Abdulrahman Bashir’s cross late in the first half to give the Solid Miners victory over the former Champions.
Down the ladder, Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan gave their survival hopes a real boost when an Abayomi Adebayo goal handed then a share of the spoils at El-Kanemi.
Ibrahim Babangida who had missed a first half penalty gave the hosts the lead three minutes after the break before Adebayo’s stoppage time goal ensured El-Kanemi dropped points only for the second time this season.
Gombe United dragged ABS into further relegation mess when they inflicted a 2-1 win over their opponents in Gombe.
Musa Unman’s brace kept the sagging hopes of Manu Garba’s side alive with in-form Wasiu Alalade scoring the visitors’ goal.
In Katsina, Chinedu Udechukwu scored twice from the penalty spot as Katsina United moved a step closer to safety with a 2-0 win over Sunshine Stars while Bobby Clement also fired a brace for Rangers who claimed the day’s only away win, a 2-1 success at relegated Remo Stars. Akeem Taiwo with Reno’s goal late on.
Match Day 36 action will be concluded on Monday morning with the second half of the game between Niger Tornadoes and FC Ifeanyiubah in Lokoja.
The visitors lead 1-0 through King Osanga’s goal before Ivorian goalkeeper Drissa Bamba saved Andrew Ikefe’s penalty. A heavy downpour rendered the pitch unplayable before the second half commenced, prompting the match officials to adjourn till Monday morning.
