NPFL Week 9 Round Up: Dolphins lose first home game in three years

GABROS 1-0 SHARKS

The Anambra Warriors are still having a season to remember in the top flight after they pinned Sharks 1-0 through a deflected goal at the Gabros Stadium, Nnewi on Sunday in a Match Day 9 tie.

Chibuzo Okonkwo fired a long range effort which a Blue Angel’s defender deflected into his own net in his bid clear the ball to safety.

Gabros are second on the log on goals difference to Sunshine Stars with 17 points from nine matches. They play Kano Pillars next away in a blockbuster fixture on Wednesday while Sharks welcome Giwa FC.

GIWA 0-0 TARABA

Tony Ogharanduku's men pick an unlikely draw against Giwa FC who have been impressive this season and prevented them from assuming the leadership of the league after Week 9 round of matches.

Giwa have not been beaten in their last six games in the league and they extended it to seven on Sunday after they played a goalless draw against the Jalingo Boys at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.

The Jos Elephant are now fourth on the log with 16 points from nine matches while FC Taraba are 14thwith 10 points from as many matches. Giwa and FC Taraba will tackle Sharks and Dolphins in that order in Port Harcourt and Jalingo respectively on Wednesday.

DOLPHINS 1-2 ENYIMBA

The Pride of Rivers have suffered first home league loss in three years after they allowed the People’s Elephant to get a 2-1 win at their fortress in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Enyimba settled down into the game almost immediately that the game started and scored two goals in the opening five minutes which made them to dictate the pace of the game to the chagrin of their hosts.

Markson Ojobo and Ezekiel Bassey both left their defensive duties to score for the Aba side while Omo Johnson’s goal for Dolphins only ended up as a mere consolation.

Enyimba have moved a step up to eighth position with 15 points from nine games and they must ensure they secure another win at home to El Kanemi Warriors on Wednesday to get into the title mix while Dolphins face a daunting task away to FC Taraba. They have nine points from nine matches and are 15thon the log.


EL KANEMI 1-0 BAYELSA UNITED

Abraham Turba’s 75thminute spot kick was the only difference between both sides at the Kano Pillars Stadium on Sunday after battling effort from both sides to grind out a result.

The Restoration Boys came to Kano with a mission to pick at least a point but they were foiled by the goal of Turba whose goal guided El Kanemi to fifth on the log with 16 points from eight matches. They will take up the leadership of the premier league if they beat Warri Wolves in a Week Four rescheduled game which comes up later.

El Kanemi travel to Aba as guests of Enyimba while Bayelsa United will face Wikki Tourists on Wednesday.

WIKKI TOURIST 1-0 LOBI STARS

Fatigued Wikki Tourists side managed a slim 1-0 win over stubborn Lobi Stars in Bauchi on Sunday to move to third on the table with 17 points but on the same points with the top two teams: Sunshine Stars and Gabros International FC.

Wikki’s Uche Martin stepped out to net the match winner from the penalty spot in the 75thminute and the tie ended that way at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

Lobi’s unimpressive season continues as they are still in search of first league win after nine matches. They are last on the log with six points from as many matches. Wikki will visit Oghara next to slug it out with Bayelsa United while Lobi must end their rough start with a win against Heartland in Makurdi on Wednesday.

HEARTLAND 2-0 AKWA UNITED

The Naze Millionaires finally brought back smiles to the faces of their faithful fans on Sunday when they thumped the Promise Keepers 2-0 through two early goals converted by Collins Nwaneri and Hasan Babangida in the second and fourth minutes.

Akwa United on their part are still on a free fall in the league. Despite beating their Federation Cup Round of 64 opponents 6-0 last Thursday, coach Zachary Baraje inspired side are yet to get the perfect mix in the league.

Heartland have 15 points to move a step up to seventh on the log from nine matches while Akwa United are on eight points from nine games. They are 17thon the log. Heartland will travel to Makurdi to tackle Lobi Stars while Akwa United will have a date with 3SC in Uyo on Wednesday.

3SC 1-1 ENUGU RANGERS

The tie between two traditional clubs who are fast losing their legacies ended in a scored draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Sunday as the Oluyole Warriors are finding the heat too hot on their return to the top flight.

3SC didn’t lose a solitary point at home throughout last season in the Nigeria National League but after eight games have lost a game and drew one at their fortress. They have only gained a road point in Lafia and have lost other three away matches.

When they tackled equally inconsistent Flying Antelopes in Ibadan on Sunday many thought it would be a walk over but they were surprised that the Enugu side came prepared and could have secured maximum points.

Rangers and 3SC are 13th and 16thon the log with 10 and eight points in that order. They will slug it out with Nasarawa United and Akwa United in Enugu and Uyo respectively on Wednesday.

NASARAWA UNITED 1-1 SUNSHINE STARS

The Solid Miners had to settle for a draw after the visitors threatened to cart away the available three points in Lafia on Sunday.

Seun Sogbeso put the hosts in the lead in the first half from the penalty spot with what was alleged to be a contestable call but the Akure Gunners equalized through Kingsley Eduwo in the second half.

The draw kept Sunshine’s place at the top with 17 points from nine games while Nasarawa United are on 11thposition with 11 points from nine matches. The Lafia side travel to Enugu to face Rangers while Sunshine will welcome Kwara United to Akure in another local derby.

ABIA WARRIORS 0-1 KANO PILLARS

When every seemed Pillars have been written off in the defence of the  league crown they have won in the last three years they struck with a bang in Umuahia after they defeated Abia Warriors 1-0 through Adamu Hassan’s goal

Sai Masugida have been having it tough in the league this season and recently even lost three consecutive away league matches before that was halted with the home win over Sharks.

Pillars jumped to sixth from seventh position with 15 points from nine matches while Abia Warriors slid to ninth with 13 points from nine games. 

Pillars will welcome Gabros International in an explosive tie while Abia Warriors will slug it out with Warri Wolves away if the Seasiders are able to return in time from their Caf Confederation Cup campaign where they were beaten 3-0 by AC Leopards of Congo in a third round first leg encounter.