After match day 19 in the Nigerian Professional League, only Sunshine Stars of Akure took all three points away from home against Abia Warriors . Plateau, Pillars, Rangers and Heartland all played goalless draw.
Enyimba 1-0 Nasarawa United
A brilliantly struck free kick by Chima Akas proved to be the difference as Enyimba FC pipped Nasarawa United 1-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium in their Nigeria Professional Football League clash on Saturday.
Neither side created any real chances in the first 25 minutes as both sides probed patiently for an opening without much success.
The first decent chance arrived in the 31 minute when Akas showed quality with his well delivered free-kick that gave goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso no chance.
Nasarawa United put some pressure on the hosts after the break, with the likes of Emmanuel Makama and Philip Azango threatening the goal with strong shots.
The result increased Enyimba's unbeaten streak to eight in the ongoing league campaign.
Nasarawa United put some pressure on the hosts after the break, with the likes of Emmanuel Makama and Philip Azango threatening the goal with strong shots.
The result increased Enyimba's unbeaten streak to eight in the ongoing league campaign.
Enugu Rangers 0-0 Heartland FC
Enugu Rangers and Heartland played to a goalless draw in a Nigeria Professional Football League clash at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium on Friday night.
Heartland keeper Ebele Obi was tested for the first time in the 26th minute when he saved a free kick from Chisom Egbuchulam.
Rangers continued to mount pressure on the visitors for the opening goal and in the 44th minute Egbuchulam saw his penalty kick saved by Obi, as the first-half ended goalless.
Five minutes into the second-half Godwin Aguda was played through on goal, but Heartland skipper Chinedu Efugh managed to guide the striker wide and his effort missed the target.
The Naze Millionaires looked dangerous on the counter and on the hour-mark Isaac Loute's beautiful pass set Bright Ejike through on goal, but Itodo was at alert to save the situation.
Loute then whipped home a free kick, which was ruled out for offside by match referee Anietie Ferdinand Udoh.
Booby Clement burst into the box and forced Heartland shot-stopper Obi into a fantastic save at his near-post in the 72nd minute.
The hosts were awarded a set-piece on the right-hand side which was played into the Heartland box by Donou and his teammate Aguda headed it wide.
Wikki Tourists 3-0 Ikorodu United
Wikki Tourists cruised to a 3-0 victory over Ikorodu United with Saidu Abdullahi hitting a brace and Hamza Tiya getting on the scoresheet.
It didn't take the home side long to find their passing rhythm on Sunday and they went ahead in the 19th minute as Idris Sabi played in Hamza, who made no mistake with the finish.
Wikki found themselves 2-0 ahead less than six minutes later when Saidu doubled the lead to put his side in a comfortable position going into half time.
The home side put the gloss on their performance with eighteen minutes left on the clock when Saidu added a third following good work from Ahmed Mohammed.
Abia Warriors 1-2 Sunshine Stars
Sunshine Stars were victorious in their game against Abia Warriors at the Umuahia Township Stadium, running out 2-0 winners.
Razaq Adegbite's 45th minute strike was cancelled out by Obinna Eric Nwaimo effort in the 78th minute of action.
However, Dele Olorundare netted a 90th-minute winner to give the Akure side all three points on the road.
Adegbite opened the scoring for the Akure side when he capitalised on a defensive blunder by the home team to score.
Abia Warriors got themselves back in it when Nwaimo took advantage of a lapse in concentration from the away side to level things up.
With the game seemingly petering out for a draw, Olorundare popped up with a smart effort past the goalkeeper to give his side the win.
Warri Wolves 3-1 El-Kanemi Warriors
Kelvin Itoya scored twice as Warri Wolves defeated El-Kanemi Warriors 3-1 at the Warri City Stadium.
Three goals in the space of 13 minutes helped the Seasiders to a comprehensive victory which moves them up to ninth in the NPFL table.
The hosts stormed out of the blocks and peppered their opponents' goal with shots early on. But they failed to score in the first half.
They took the lead in the 77th minute when substitute Itoya scored for them.
Wolves doubled their advantage shortly afterwards. Itoya headed the ball beyond the goalkeeper for his first ever brace in the NPFL.
Two minutes from time it was 3-0, as Sikiru Alimi scored his third goal in three matches.
Warriors did manage a consolation goal in response at injury time, but it did not make much difference in the end.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
FC Ifeanyi Ubah ran out 2-0 winners over Niger Tornadoes thanks to goals from Tamen Medrano and Nico Dao.
Medrano scored after 61 minutes to put the Anambra Warriors in front.
Dao doubled his side's lead in the dying moments of the game at the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium.
Lobi Stars 1-0 Rivers United
Chinonso Okonkwo missed a 93rd-minute penalty, as Rivers United narrowly lost 1-0 to Lobi Stars at the Aper Aku Stadium.
Sunday Akleche had given the Pride of Benue the lead in a difficult NPFL tie before the Okonkwo's spot kick miss.
Despite playing very well in the first stanza, the Akleche inspired Lobi Stars failed to score.
Lobi Stars continued to find it difficult in the second half until the 68th minute, when the impressive Akleche gave them the lead from the penalty spot.
The hosts were reduced to ten men when Solomon Kwambe earned his second booking in the 70th minute.
The visitors were awarded a spot kick in the final minute. Former Enyimba man Okonkwo failed to get his execution right and he missed from the spot.
Plateau United 0-0 Kano Pillars
Plateau United were held to a 0-0 draw by Kano Pillars at the Rwang Pam Stadium this afternoon.
Fan Lazarus had a decent chance for the visitors after eight minutes, but his shot was too far wide from the edge of the box.
The away team responded with a chance of their own through Emmanuel Edmond, but his angled drive was just wide after 13 minutes.
Manir Ubale fired in an ambitious effort for Pillars that went close on 51 minutes, before Silas was denied by the woodwork.
Benjamin should have done better late in the match as the visitors held on for a draw in Jos.
Akwa United 2-0 Shooting Stars
Akwa United squeezed past Shooting Stars 2-0 this evening to push them to fifth in the NPFL table.
Goals from Ubong Friday and Cyril Olisema were enough for the Promise Keepers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Friday opened the scoring after eight minutes when he poked home Ubong Ekpai's delivery.
United had their second two minutes after half hour when Olisema capitalized on the lapses of the away side's defenders to score.
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