Plateau United beat Sunshine to open 5 point lead
After stuttering in Aba where they suffered a 0-1 defeat against Enyimba, Plateau United yesterday stormed back strongly to beat embattled Sunshine Stars 2-1 in Akure to move further from the chasing pack.
With the away victory, Plateau United are five points clear of their closest rivals FC IfeanyiUbah who also recorded a 2-0 victory over ABS in Nnewi.
Emmanuel Odafe scored Plateau United’s opening goal in the second half of the match before a long throw from United’s Daniel Itodo was mistakenly headed into the net by Sunshine Stars midfielder, Dayo Ojo.
Sunshine Stars ended the match with ten men after their goalkeeper was sent off after an attack on the centre referee following Plateau United’s second goal which came late into the match.
Plateau United’s Kabir Umar said he was not surprised by the victory because they were in Akure for the maximum points.
He told Daily Trust that they faced so much pressure in the hands of the home team but they persevered to record the crucial away win.
“It did not come easy but Thank God we succeeded. We came to Akure for victory and we got it.
“Our hosts did everything possible to deny us the three points but we fought to the end. This victory takes us closer to the title and we are really happy,” he said.
In Makurdi, Lobi Stars thrashed MFM 3-1 to move to fifth position on 36 points just as El-Kanemi Warriors lost steam at home and were held to 1-1 draw by defending champions, Enugu Rangers.
Niger Tornadoes bounced back with a slim 1-0 win over Rivers United in Lokoja, former champions, Enyimba FC forced Gombe United to 1-1 draw in Gombe and Nasarawa United inspired by Hassan Adamu defeated Katsina United 2-0 in Lafia.