NPFL Review: Rivers United, Plateau United return to winning ways; Enyimba beaten in Okigwe

Adepoju Tobi Samuel 20:30 - 07 April 2022

Action continues in the NPFL this weekend

The first midweek action of the second stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League 2021/22 season produced some exciting results.

Remo Stars continued their dominance in the regional derbies as they defeated MFM in Ikenne. In Awka, Enugu Rangers pipped stubborn Katsina United, while the game between Shooting Stars and Gombe United finished goalless.

Here's a look at how it went down on the match day.

Abia Warriors 2-1 Enyimba

The warriors finally managed to get one over their city rivals in Okigwe on Wednesday.

Two first half goals from birthday boy Hammed Yakubu and Valentine Odoh set Imama Amapakabo's men on their way before Paschal Eze halved the deficit on the dot of halftime for Enyimba.

After the break, it was quite cagey, although the half's best chance fell to Chukwuemeka Obioma of Enyimba, but his attempt couldn't beat the woodwork.

It was a much needed win for the home side, while it was a setback to the aspirations of the former champions.

Kano Pillars 0-0 Akwa United

The champions' clash at the Mohammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina finished goalless.

For the second season in a row, Sai Masu Gida failed to beat Akwa United at home as the Promise Keepers extend their elegant unbeaten record against them to four games.

The result left Pillars 14th on the log, while Akwa United remained ninth after 21 rounds of games.

Remo Stars 1-0 MFM

This particular Southwest derby was decided after just three minutes as the Sky Blue Stars complete the double over the Lagos based side.

In his first start for the club, Sikiru Alimi capitalized on the goalkeeper's slip to hand Gbenga Ogunbote's side the lead after just three minutes.

No further goals came, although Tolulope Ojo(Remo) and Badejo Oluwaseun(MFM) struck the bar in the second half of the game.

Remo moved up to fourth, while MFM found themselves four points adrift of safety.

https://twitter.com/LMCNPFL/status/1512119817632899081?s=20&t=yK9vob5J_E-7qClMw2lYpQ

Other results include;

Shooting Stars and Gombe United settled for another goalless draw when they met in Ibadan, while Enugu Rangers managed to narrowly beat Katsina United 1-0 in Awka. Chukwuebuka Okorie with the goal.

Teenagers Emmanuel Ayaosi and Etido Dan scores two well taken goals to help Dakkada edge Kwara United 2-0 in Uyo.

Nasarawa United made it two wins out of two in the second stanza as mid-season recruit Chinedu Ohanachom and defender Abubakar Abdullahi scored in the routine win over Heartland in Jos.

Nyima Nwagua's goal earned Rivers United all three points against Lobi Stars, while Andrew Ikefe scored a late winner to keep Plateau United in touching distance of the Pride of Rivers.

In Kaduna, Wikki Tourists defeated Sunshine Stars courtesy Aliyu Abubakar's penalty in the first half on Thursday.