There was no dull moment in the Week Nine games of the Nigeria Professional Football League as fans were highly entertained.
A total of 21 goals was netted with an average of 2.1 goals per match.
Ikorodu United 2-3 Rivers United
Ikorodu United gave it everything they had, but in the end they failed to overturn a two-goal deficit as they lost 3-2 to Rivers United at the Onikan Stadium in the match-day nine of the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday.
Stanley Eguma's charges had raced out of the blocks and were3-1 up after 31 minutes courtesy of a goal each from Guy Kuemian, Chukwunonso Okonkwo and Wilson Andoh followingIfegwu Ojukwu's leveller.
However, Ojukwu completed his brace to ensure a tense finish in front of more than 5,000 fans.
In one of the most exciting 45 minutes in history of the NPFL, the Pride of Rivers were out of the blocks like a house on fire, though they were helped in no small measure by some woeful defending from the Oga Boys.
It took just nine minutes for Kuemian to score – and it was a piece of play that coach Sam Okpodu will not want to see again.
While, it took Ikorodu United five minutes to have their first attempt at goal and it turned out to be the equaliser from the reliable Ojukwu.
It was to prove a false dawn though, as Rivers United made it 2-1 on the 20 minutes mark through Okonkwo.
In the 31st minute, it was Andoh who registered his name on the scoresheet.
Rivers United went into the break in the ascendency.
Ikorodu United looked a better side after the break, while at thesame time Rivers United became a lot more circumspect, seemingly content to hold onto their lead.
On 74 minutes, Ojukwu got his second when he fired the ball into the back of the net.
The Oga Boys kept on pushing for an unlikely equaliser, but with Rivers United contented to sit back and defend, it was always going to be a tough ask.
The three points moved Rivers United up to seventh place, with Ikorodu United sliding down to 19th.
Warri Wolves 0-0 Lobi Stars
Warri Wolves failed to convert begging chances at they were held to a goalless draw by Lobi Stars.
The Seasiders had themselves to blame in a game they shouldhave won at the Warri City Stadium.
It was their fourth stalemate in the 2016 top flight campaign.Wolves are 13th on the ladder while Lobi Stars are fourth.
Enugu Rangers 2-1 Enyimba FC
Enyimba FC slipped further to the relegation zone as they weredealt a 2-1 defeat by ten-man Enugu Rangers in the Oriental War.
The reigning champions crashed against their brothers from Enugu at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium.
Rangers were the quickest off the blocks as they created somechances in the opening minutes of the game.
Ifeanyi Egwim was causing all the problems for the People's Elephants with his silky skills.
It was one of the forward's ingenuity that saw him release match winner Chisom Egbuchulam but the youngster failed to pounce on the pass.Enyimba however started to come out of their shell after 10 minutes with Mfon Udoh and Musa Najare linking well on top of the attack.
The game was however turned on its head in the 21st minute when Joseph Osadiaye was set-up by Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and the winger was clinical with his finish for the first goal of the thrilling match.
Rangers looked for a response and it was 1-1 in the 21st minute of exciting action.
Bobby Clement skillfully found his way to the box before passing to Godwin Aguda who was too motivated to miss a simple chance.
The skillful Clement was the assist master once again when he found Egbuchulam who said "thank you" with a thunderous effort to the roof of the net.
The People's Elephants started the second period with intent as Udoh fired a shot from the edge of the box just from the restart but the strike was always serving wide.
Egbuchulam was however having the game of his life as he kept on terrorizing the Enyimba defence with his trickery.
Livewire Clement was sent-off late in the game.
The match ended 2-1 in favour of the Flying Antelopes who kept their place on top of the table with seventeen points from nine matches.
Abia Warriors 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Chisom Chikatara's 82nd minute strike handed Abia Warriors a1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Abia Warriors made most of the early running with Bolaji Sakin shooting high over Nobas' crossbar from just outside the area in the fifth minute.
The hosts continued to impose themselves on the game midway through the half and won a succession of corners, but failed to capitalise on their dominance.
Warriors almost took the lead in the 41st minute, but Sakin was once again wasteful.
The match remained goalless at the break, with Kennedy Boboye's team looking the better side after the restart.
However, despite all their dominance in the opening stages, they failed to create any real clear-cut opportunities.Boboye's side almost broke the deadlock in the 71st minute, when Chisom Chikatara missed a sitter.
In the final ten minutes, the winner arrived when Chikatara made amends for his earlier miss with a perfect finish.
Kano Pillars 2-0 FC Ifeanyi Uba
Kano Pillars maintained their 100% record at home in the Nigeria Professional Football League so far this season courtesy of a 2-0 win over FC Ifeanyi Ubah this afternoon.
The hosts had the first real chance of the match as the ball was slipped to Adamu Hassan, but the striker was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Adada Andrew.
Azeez Shobowale and Shagari Mohammed combined with 27 minutes played in the first half as Shagari lofted a ball in towards Shobowale.
There was nothing that FC Ifeanyi Ubah's keeper Uche Okafor could do about the opening goal, however, as Prince Aggrey converted a fine cross from Shagari on the half hour mark.
Two minutes into the second half, the lively Shagari crossed tothe path of Suleman Usman who poked the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper.
Wikki Tourists 0-0 Akwa United
Wikki Tourists played out a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Akwa United.
The match took place at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium on Sunday.
It was a disappointing game by the home side who couldn't break through the solid back-line of the Promise Keepers.
El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0 Nasarawa United
El-Kanemi Warriors scored twice in the last three minutes to secure a 3-0 victory over Nasarawa United at the Karkanda Stadium.
Yakubu put Ladan Bosso's team ahead on 12 minutes from the penalty spot.
On 87 minutes, Daniel Japhet doubled Warriors' advantage and Chinedu Ohanachom made sure of the points with a cleverchip over goalkeeper Dami Paul.
Victory moves Warriors to 15th with 10 points from eight matches, while Nasarawa United are rooted to the bottom.
Heartland 2-0 Giwa FC
Giwa FC found no joy at the Dan Anyiam Stadium as they were beaten 2-0 by Heartland FC.
The Jos Elephants showed no fear in the first stanza of the game in Owerri.
Both sides were evenly matched in a keenly contested half.The game, however opened up in the second 45 minutes.
A goal each from Emeka Atuloma and Roland Kofi helped the Naze Millionaires seal victory at their fortress.
Plateau United 1-1 MFM FC
At the Rwang Pam Stadium, a determined MFM got a 1-1 drawagainst a less clinical Plateau United.
Adegboyega Adekunle opened the scoring for MFM in the finalmoment of the first half before Reuben Bala delivered the equaliser five minutes after recess.
Despite series of pressure from the Jos-based side in the last quarter of the game, the Olukoya Boys held on to an important away point.
No comments:
Post a Comment