By Kayode John
Enyimba secured their first win in four Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matches with a 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba on Sunday.
The Peoples Elephant not won a league game since the 3-0 victory over Katsina United in a Week 5 clash on October 7, but Ifeanyi Ihemekwele put them ahead in the sixth minute against the Lagos-based side on Sunday.
Ikorodu City equalised in the 90th minute through Toyeeb Ajeyigbe and thought they had earned a point, only for Moses Adikwu to score the winner for Enyimba in the 92nd minute to inflict on the visitors their first defeat in four matches.
Shooting Stars of Ibadan recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season after their 2-1 home victory over Akwa United.
Playing at home for the second consecutive game, Gideon Monday put 3SC ahead on the stroke of half-time and Joshua Akpan doubled their lead in the 73rd minute.
Friday Apollos pulled one back for the visitors but the hosts held on for their third win of the season.
Rivers United and El-Kanemi Warriors maintained their unbeaten run this season as they played out a 1-1 draw in Port Harcourt.
The two clubs are the only teams yet to lose in this campaign. El-Kanemi Warriors took the lead at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium through Sama’ila Bello in the 30th minute but Taofeek Otaniyi equalised for the hosts three minutes later.
Despite the draw, Rivers United increased their lead at the top of the table to three points, with Remo Stars losing at Heartland.
Nasarawa United tamed Ahmed Musa and Zulkifilu Rabiu to record a 1-0 victory over Kano Pillars in their matchday 9 clash at the Lafia City Stadium.
League top scorer Anas Yusuf netted for the home side in the 40th minute and Pillars were reduced to 10 men three minutes later when Ugochukwu Gabriel was sent off. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors managed to keep the score line decent.
Plateau United defeated Sunshine Stars of Akure 3-0 in a dominant performance in Jos. Vincent Temitope put his side into the lead after converting a penalty in the 14th minute, and Sadiq Abubakar Adamu’s double in the 66th and 94th minutes sealed the defeat for the away side.
Heartland recorded their second win of the season in the victory over Remo Stars at the Dan Anyoam Stadium in Owerri. Afolayan Temitope Peters scored the goal in the 1-0 victory 19 minutes from time to inflict the third loss of the season on Daniel Ogunmodede’s team who remain second in the table but three points off Rivers United at the top.
RESULTS
Nasarawa United 1-0 Kano Pillars
Plateau United 3-0 Sunshine Stars
Heartland 1-0 Remo Stars
Enyimba 2-1 Ikorodu City
Rivers United 1-1 El-Kanemi
3SC 2-1 Akwa United
