By Kayode John
Ikorodu City and Akwa United both suffered 2-1 home defeats in their respective Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matches on Saturday, the former losing to Nasarawa United, the latter going down to Sunshine Stars.
With the two games heralding matchday 4 fixtures in the league, both home teams were searching for their first victories of the 2024/2025 NPFL season following challenging starts.
Nasarawa United broke the deadlock just before half-time through Anas Yusuf at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
Thankgod Chilaka pulled hosts Ikorodu City level three minutes after the restart, but Kabiru Balogun ensured the visitors return home with all the three points with a direct free-kick goal in the 65th minute.
The result means back-to-back home defeats for the newly promoted Ikorodu City, who also lost 1-0 to champions Enugu Rangers in their rescheduled matchday 2 clash last Wednesday and remain bottom of the table despite having played four matches.
At the Godwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Sunshine Stars handed Akwa United their first defeat of the campaign.
The Promise Keepers had drawn their first two matches against Lobi Stars and Abia Warriors before the game.
Chinedu Nwosu put Sunshine Stars ahead after 19 minutes and Seth Mayi Ademe won the game for them in the 81st minute, as Wisdom Joshau Ndom’s goal two minutes later for the home side was too little, too late.
