Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Bendel Insurance claimed crucial wins on the road in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) run-in on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
3SC came from behind to beat Elkanemi Warriors 2-1 in Maiduguri. At the same time, Bendel Insurance edged Wikki Tourists by the same scoreline in Jos to bring themselves into the race for a continental place finish.
The Oluyole Warriors came into this Match Day 35 clash at Elkanemi Stadium with a goalless draw at home to Kwara United, leaving them short behind the teams ahead of them on the log. John Zakka put the hosts in front midway through the first half before second-half sub Qamar Adegoke struck twice to secure the win on the road.
With the win, Shooting Stars returned to fifth on the log and will now play back-to-back home matches when the league resumes in early May.
In Jos, Bendel Insurance made the most of the fact that Wikki Tourists of Bauchi were playing away from home to secure a 2-1 win on the road. Emmanuel Dung opened the scoring for the visitors in the third minute before Jonathan Mairiga scored his 11th goal of the season to drag the hosts level. Just ten minutes after the restart, Efe Ubiomo scored the winning goal at the New Jos Stadium.
At the top of the log, Rangers also came from behind to beat Enyimba 2-1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. After the first half ended goalless, former Rangers man Wonah Williams put the Aba side in front, only for the Flying Antelopes to turn things around within ten minutes, courtesy of goals from defenders Chidozie Iwundu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi.
Kano Pillars left it late to beat Rivers United 2-1 in Kano. Abdullahi Musa put the hosts in front in the 81st minute before Handsome Surveyor headed the visitors back on level terms in the 89th minute. When Finidi George’s side thought they had taken a point from the Pyramid City, former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa fired home the winner in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, it was comfortable 3-0 wins for Nasarawa United and Remo Stars against Warri Wolves and Niger Tornadoes, respectively. Victor Chimezie, Ngei Oluka-Efor, and Habibu Alakija scored for Nasarawa United, while Victor Mbaoma, Adedayo Olamilekan, and Samuel Anakwe scored for the defending Champions in Ikenne.
It finished 1-1 between Plateau United and Kun Khalifat in Jos. Mmesoma Nnorom’s early goal for the visitors was cancelled out by Alao Danbani in the first half, and that was how it finished.
Following the point taken at Shooting Stars last weekend, Kwara United consolidated with a 2-1 win over Barau of Kano. Toheeb Gidado and Saheed Olaniyi scored for United before Joseph Atule’s consolation goal in the second half.
Due to the finals of the State FA Cups happening next weekend, Match Day 36 games will now take place on the weekend of May 2-3.
