Plateau United beat Wikki 2-1 to maintain lead ...as Lobi, MFM record away victories in Kano, Enugu
2019 NPFL table toppers Plateau United yesterday defeated neighbours Wikki Tourists of Bauchi 2-1 in Jos to maintain their lead in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, season.
There were also important victories for Lobi Stars and MFM of Lagos who recorded away victories against Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers.
At the New Jos stadium in Jos, the visitors drew the first blood when Daniel Jackson scored in the 12th minute before former Enyimba FC man, Mustapha Ibrahim drew his side level in the 33rd minute.
Five minutes into the second half, Umar Abba scored the second for Plateau United and it was enough to hand the former champions the three points.
Plateau United are leading the table with nine points from three matches having defeated Lobi Stars 3-1 and Jigawa Golden Stars 1-0.
In Kano, Lobi Stars new boy Abdulwasiu Mahmud did all the difficult work for former Nasarawa United midfielder Douglas Achiv to tap in his first goal of the season in the 62nd minute for the crucial victory.
Pillars who played their second home match without their teeming fans fought hard to equalise but found Lobi Stars’ defence impregnable.
Reacting to the loss, Kano Pillars new signing Kenneth Amia said their inability to convert chances they created was their undoing.
He said Pillars deserved to get at least a draw from the match. “We didn’t play badly but it was not our day. Had it been we converted our chances, the result would have been different.
“We are not going to cry over spilled milk. The league is like a marathon. We would focus on upcoming fixtures,” said the former Lobi Stars player.
High riding MFM of Lagos also won away from home as they defeated Enugu Rangers at the ‘cathedral’ courtesy of Chuks Kenedinum’s goal in the 45th minute.
MFM had beaten Heartland 0-1 in Owerri in their opening match of the season.
In Asaba, Delta Force recovered from the 0-4 hammering in the hands of Lobi Stars to wallop returnees Jigawa Golden Stars 4-1.
Enyimba recorded another 3-1 victory over Akwa United in Aba three days after they defeated Nasarawa United with the same scoreline in their rescheduled week one match.
Elsewhere, Abia Warriors forced visiting Sunshine Stars to 1-1 draw, IfeanyiUbah piped Rivers United 1-0 in Nnewi, Warri Wolves beat new boys Adamawa United 2-0 in Warri, Akwa Starlets held Heartland 1-1 in Owerri just as Katsina United compounded Nasarawa United’s misery with 1-0 victory at the Muhammadu Dikko stadium.
In all there were six home victories, two away wins, and two draws just as 22 goals were scored in the ten matches played yesterday across match venues.