2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season’s matchday 17 saw league leaders Rivers United record another home win alongside Plateau United as they both continued their fight for the league title.
Two well-taken goals from Joseph Onoja in the first half-hour of the game against Shooting Stars secured the win for Rivers United in PH. At the New Jos Stadium, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s Plateau United needed a late header from Ibrahim Buhari to break down a resolute Katsina United to stay in touching distance of Stanley Eguma’s men.
Remo Stars continued their dominance in the South West derby this season by beating Sunshine Stars 3-0 in Ikenne. Defender Ogunribide Seun scored a cracker before Andy Okpe came off the bench to grab two more goals to send the Sky Blue Stars third on the log.
In Lagos, MFM suffered their fourth defeat at home as Kwara United walked away with a 2-1 win. Junior Lokosa and Alao Danbani had given the Harmony Warriors a 2-0 lead before Elijah Akanni halved the deficit all in the first half, but the visitors held on for their first away win of the season.
Elsewhere, Enyimba slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Dakkada. Edidiong Ezekiel and Aniekan Ekpe scored for the Uyo side as Finidi George and his men suffered their seventh defeat of the season.
Abia Warriors and Akwa United played out a goalless draw in Okigwe, while Abubakar Aliyu’s goal at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium earned Wikki Tourists all three points against Lobi Stars. At their newly adopted home ground in Katsina, Kano Pillars returned to winning ways by beating Nasarawa United 2-0 courtesy goals from Mark Daniel and Ifeanyi Eze.
On Saturday, Enugu Rangers and Heartland claimed important wins over Gombe United and Niger Tornadoes respectively.
RESULTS
Enugu Rangers 1-0 Gombe United
Heartland 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
MFM 1-2 Kwara Utd
Rivers United 2-0 3SC
Kano Pillars 2-0 Nasarawa United
Dakkada 2-0 Enyimba
Remo Stars 3-0 Sunshine Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Katsina United
Abia Warriors 0-0 Akwa United
Wikki Tourists 2-1 Lobi Stars
