Nigeria’s topflight league resumes on Sunday, and the results from the eight-placed fixture record a series of exciting moments.
Three home wins, three away wins and two draws with 14 goals recorded in eight games played.
It was a dramatic moment in Jos between Enyimba and Plateau United as a last minute strike from Kazeem Ogunleye gave the Peace Boys their first win of the season after the shock defeat of Bendel Insurance on Saturday.
Finidi George and his children were determined to cause havoc Plateau United as he did in the first match against Nasarawa United at the New Jos Stadium, but it went south for the Elephants, who faced defeat and two red cards during the encounter.
The game between People Elephants and Peace Boys witnessed critical injuries on both sides.
In the seventh minute, the combination of Chappy Katoh and Mustapha Ibrahim set up Sunday Anthony, whose shot missed the target. Three minutes later, Ibrahim’s breathtaking header from Daniel Itodo’s long throw was saved by Olorunleke Ojo.
Meanwhile, the visitors tried to get an opener with former MFM player Elijah Akanni crossing to force Yakubu Adam to score an own goal in the 20th minute. The Elephants then suffered a setback after Emeka Obioma replaced the injured Mbaoma
Five minutes later, Enyimba broke the deadlock with Chibuike Nwaiwu’s header to a cross from his teammate.
After conceding another goal at home, the peaceful boys tried to salvage their lead on the half hour mark with Ifeanyi Emmanuel heading home Itodo’s throw.
Ifeanyi scored the equalizer for the hosts six minutes later from a well-placed ball from Mustapha Ibrahim as he headed home his third goal of the season.
However, at the top of the half, Plateau United substituted the injured Izuchukwu Chimezie for Kazeem Ogunleye.
Ogunleye was the first player to test Leke Ojo five minutes into the second half after his shot was deflected for a corner by the keeper.
However, on the hour mark, Plateau United were forced into another change as Captain Itodo had to leave due to injury, and Sunday Abaa came on.
And in the 61st minute, Sunday missed a clear chance after a defender’s shot went wide.
The last 10 minutes of the game witnessed missed opportunities from both sides.
First, Plateau United’s Kazeem Ogunleye’s free-kick went wide in the 82nd minute before Obioma headed the ball past six yards from Awazie’s corner five minutes later.
However, the menacing Kazeem Ogunleye gave Fidelis Ilechukwu and his team the victory they were waiting for after scoring from Uche Onwuasonaya’s cut in the 96th minute.
After the goal, Eze and Leke Ojo were shown red cards by referee Janji Amadi for dissent.
Away wins
Bendel Insurance continues to shine brighter in their debut season after 2019. Many would believe the Benin Gunners have learned well as they stunned Kwara United with a solitary goal.
Imade Osarenkhoe scored the only goal of the match, his third goal of the season from a 25th minute strike that went past goalkeeper Adeyinka Adewale.
In the game, Ayodeji Ayeni’s Akwa United, like last season, beat Nasarawa United 3-0 at the New Jos Stadium. It was the first win for the Promise Keepers as the loss condemned the Solid Miners to their third straight loss of the season.
The three-goal win was also Akwa United’s first since 2016 against El Kanemi Warriors who they defeated 3-1 in a rescheduled three-day match.
The Promise Keepers broke the deadlock two minutes before the break with James Ajako’s volley. It was Akwa United’s first goal of the season.
Meanwhile, the visitors doubled their lead two minutes into the second half from Ndifreke Effiong, who headed home Cyril Olisema’s free-kick. The midfielder then completed a brace in the 73rd minute for the first time since 2021 against Katsina.
A similar result took place in Umuahia when Lobi Stars beat hosts Abia Warriors by a solitary goal.
After a barren draw in the first half, Abia Warriors who have kept a clean sheet in their last two matches were stunned by Kumaga Surr’s header from Joseph Atule’s cross in the 55th minute.
Draw
Sunshine Stars recorded their third consecutive draw of the season after forcing Yo-Yo Enugu Rangers to a 1-1 draw in Awka.
Flying Antelope got the opening goal from Imo Ikemodinachi, who scored an own goal in the 14th minute.
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However, Paus Owena equalized in the 36th minute with Yusuf Ibrahim finishing from Seun Olulaya’s intercept pass.
Meanwhile, on the full-time cusps, Rangers were awarded a penalty for handball from a Sunshine defender. But goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal saved Christian Nnaji’s spot kick to end the hopes of Abdul Maikaba’s side who are still looking for their first win of the season.
At the Pantami Stadium, Gombe United played a barren draw against newcomers, El Kanemi Warriors.
Result
NPFL Match Results Day 3
Nasarawa United 0-3 Akwa United
Enugu Rangers 1-1 Sunshine Stars
Abia Warriors 0-1 Lobi Stars
Doma United 1-0 Dhaka FC
Bayelsa Utd 2-1 Wikki Turis
Kwara United 0-1 Bendel Insurance
Plateau United 2-1 Enyimba
El-Kanemi Warriors 0-0 Gombe United
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