Giwa compound El-Kanemi woes, Enyimba maintain lead
Giwa Football Club yesterday boasted their chances for a continental ticket in the Nigeria premier League with a 2-1 away win against El-Kanemi Warriors FC in Katsina, while Enyimba FC held Nasarawa United to a goalless draw in Lafia to maintain their grip of the top of the log.
Giwa’s Charles Okoro put the visitors ahead in the 45th minute of the encounter with Dauda Eboh equalising for the host in the 49th minute before Ocheme Edoh scored in the 56th minute to ensure victory for the visitors.
Though Giwa were reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute, following the sending off of Nojeem Raji, the result remain 2-1 till the final whistle by the centre referee.
With the away victory, Giwa FC now has 57 points from 34 matches and five points behind table toppers, Enyimba FC who ran away with a vital point in Lafia to increase its points haul to 63.
In Bauchi, Wikki Tourist defeated FC IfeanyiUbah 2-1 to keep alive their dream of winning the league shield this season. Victor Yakubu’s spot kick in the 23rd minute gave the host the lead while Odera Onyiri equalised for the Nnewi side in the 43rd minute of the game before substitute Uche Martins rifted home from a close range to give the home side the match winner the 90th minute and pushed their points haul to 57 and second on the league table.
Also in Umuahia, Abia Warriors defeated Lobi Stars 2-0 with goals from Ifeanyi Onyeali and Ndifreke Effiong.
Dolphins FC came from behind in Port Harcourt to defeat Kano Pillars 2-1. Adamu Hassan had put the defending champions on the driving seat in the 62nd minute but Godbless Asamoah brace in the 71st and 90th minutes gave the host the victory.
In Owerri, Heartland FC got the lone goal of the match in the 4th minute when Fortune Omoniwari scored the goal against his former club Sharks FC of Port Harcourt for the maximum points at stake.
It will be recalled that when both teams meet in the first round of the league, it was Omoniwari goal that gave the oil city side the victory against the Naze millionaires in Port Harcourt.
Shooting Stars defeated FC Taraba with a lone goal with a 40th minute free-kick converted by Salawa Ibrahim in Ibadan while Kwara United forced Bayelsa United to a 1-1 draw in Ilorin. El-Kanemi 1-2 Giwa Abia 2-0 Lobi Stars Wikki 2-1 Ifeanyi Ubah Heartland 1-0 Sharks Dolphins 2-1 Pillars Nasarawa 0-0 Enyimba Shooting 1-0 Taraba Kwara 1-1 Bayelsa