NPFL Review: Remo Stars remain unbeaten, Plateau United in five-star display

Adepoju Tobi Samuel 08:20 - 17 January 2022

NPFL

Goals came aplenty in the Nigeria Professional Football League on matchday 6 this weekend - 24goals were scored in ten games.

League leaders Remo Stars left Bauchi with a 2-1 win against Wikki Tourists, while Sunshine Stars and Enyimba picked valuable points away from home. In Port-Harcourt, Rivers United were at their devastating best as they put three past Kwara United to return to winning ways.

Generally, It was a wonderful weekend for the forwards who found their scoring boots once more. With that being said, let us delve into what transpired on the pitch across the various match venues this weekend.

Nothing to separate the Stars in Ibadan

The southwest derby lived up to its billing as Shooting Stars and Sunshine stars played put an entertaining 2-2 draw at the remodeled Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday.

Gafar Olafimihan handed the homers the lead from the penalty spot halfway into the first half before Anthony Anioke headed home from a corner minutes before the break to restore parity.

Substitute Nwogbaga Ebonam then fired home a stunning strike to hand the visitors the lead for the first time in the game. With time running out, substitute Wasiu Alalade found space in the area to slot in the equalizer.

The game saw no further goals as they settled for a share of the spoils in their first topflight meeting since 2017.

Pillars sneak past Tornadoes

Not the best of performances from Kano Pillars as they managed to beat Niger Tornadoes 1-0 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Sunday.

After an uninspiring display in the first half, Sai Masu Gida upped the tempo a bit and in the opening minutes upon the restart, they were duly rewarded with a goal. Midfielder Mark Daniel found space to fire home in the 49th minute to get his side going.

Pillars held onto that single goal as they claimed another home win after last week’s disappointment at Sunshine Stars, easing pressure on the technical crew ahead of the midweek trip to Ilorin.

Dominant Pride of Rivers prevail

Rivers United pummeled Kwara United 3-0 in Port-Harcourt on Sunday. The home side were on the front foot from the get-go but could not find a way through the opposition’s back-line.

However, Nyima Nwagua fired home two minutes after the half-hour mark to set Stanley Eguma’s men on their way to victory.

Two goals in three second-half minutes from Rafiu Ishaq and Ebube Duru put the result beyond any reasonable doubt as the Harmony boys were second best all through the encounter.

Solid Miners reign supreme in derby

Nasarawa United edged Lobi Stars 2-1 in the North Central derby in Lafia on Sunday.

Uche Ihuarulam’s first-half opener for Nasarawa United was canceled out by Onyebuchi Onyeka early in the second half as the derby came alive once more.

The Solid Miners, who have been dominant in possession, eventually found a way to regain the lead when Aliyu Abdullahi scored in the 72nd minute to hand Bala Nkiyu’s men their second successive home win of the season.

Matchday 6️⃣ results#NPFL22 pic.twitter.com/oeinzF1dLq
— League Management NG (@LMCNPFL) January 16, 2022

OTHER RESULTS

In Nnewi, Enugu Rangers claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over MFM courtesy goals from Tope Olusesi and Ossy Martins. Plateau United fired five past helpless Dakkada in Jos; Sunday Anthony grabbed a brace while Akila Jesse, Reuben Bala, and Albert Hilary added further goals

In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists suffered a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Remo Stars. Dayo Ojo and Abdullahi Oyedele had scored for the visitors before Salisu Adamu halved the deficit in the final quarter of the game.

Enyimba and Gombe United settled for a share of the spoils in Gombe, while Innocent Gabriel’s ninth minute goal gave Abia Warriors all maximum points against Heartland in Okigwe.

On Saturday, Akwa United made light work of Katsina United to return to winning ways as Charles Okafor and Friday Ubong scored in the victory in Uyo.