Plateau Continues Steady March to Title, 3SC Crashes in Jos
Plateau United’s cruise to its first Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title in recent time appears a done deal with another 2-0 victory over Shooting Stars yesterday. The Plateau team consolidated its stronghold of the topflight on 58 points from 32 games.
Emmanuel Odafe and Ibeh Johnson sealed the victory for the Jos team with the two goals on each half of the game in the 16th and 78th minutes.
The defeat was however no good news for the Ibadan team struggling to be free from dropping to the lower rung of the Nigerian league. 3SC is 16th on 40 points.
Elsewhere in Sagamu, MFM FC secured a 1-0 away victory against Remo Stars to stay just three points below league leaders Plateau United. Austin Ogunye scored the winner for the Olukoya Boys in the 71st minute.
Before that goal came league hotshot and Super Eagles invitee, Stephen Odey blew the chance to take his goal haul to 19 in the 55th minute. Odey’s penalty was saved by Stars’ goalkeeper, Adekunle Tunde.
Tunde was unarguably the man of the match. He denied Odey and Olatunbosun Sikiru attempts on goal on several occasions.
In Calabar, Mfon Udoh’s 71st minute penalty was all Enyimba needed to pick maximum three points against Kano Pillars.
However, the trip to the Cannan City was no pleasure journey as the Sai Masugida are going to miss the service of Junior Lokosa who got a straight red card with ten minutes left to play.
The victory has however pushed the Aba Elephants to the fourth spot on 50 points.
Similarly, Akwa United’s trip to Maiduguri failed to yield dividend as El Kanemi grabbed the three points at stake with a lone winner by Tchoanfine Pade in the 26th minute. The Promise Keepers however remain undaunted hanging on to the third place on 51 points. El Kanemi is fifth on 49 points.
In other Match-day 32 matches played yesterday, ABS of Ilorin forced Katsina United to a 2-2 draw in Katsina while Wikki Tourist edged Sunshine Stars 2-1 in Bauchi. In another Oriental derby in Umuahia, IfeanyiUbah held home team Abia Warriors to a 0-0 draw to gain a valuable away point.
Nasarawa United defeated visiting Niger Tornadoes 1-0 while Gombe United and Lobi Stars fired blanks.
In Enugu, heavy down pour caused the postponement of the clash between champions
Rangers and Rivers United. They are to replay this morning at same venue.