By Kayode John
Former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa missed the chance to score a hat-trick upon his return to Kano Pillars for his third stint, but his two goals helped the club defeat Sunshine Stars 2-0 in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash on Sunday.
Musa made the starting eleven days after the confirmation of his return to the club and put Pillars in the lead after just four minutes, doublling their advantage six minutes into the second half. He was denied his third goal by the post in the 70th minute after his penalty failed to go in.
The win is Kano Pillars’ first in three matches, as they had suffered back-to-back defeats against Remo Stars and Abia Warriors. For Sunshine Stars, it is their second loss of the season.
Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw at the Lafia Township Stadium. While Nasarawa United have recorded only one win this season, the result leaves Ladan Bosso’s side still without a win in the league this campaign.
Rivers United, coached by Finidi George, continued their impressive start with a 2-1 victory over Akwa United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Manyo Stephen Egbe broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute but the visitors, who are winless in the league this campaign, equalised one minute into the second half through Friday Apollos.
The home side would not be denied all the three points, and in the 80th minute Ndifreke Udo Effiong restored their lead as they held on for their fourth win in five matches and moved to the top of the table.
Heartland recorded their first win of the season, beating Niger Tornadoes 2-0 in Owerri.
Michael Ogu put them into the lead after 20 minutes and completed his brace on the hour mark to secure the points for his side. Emmanuel Amuneke’s side inflicted the first loss of the season on Niger Tornadoes. Amuneke will heave a temporary sigh of relief over the team’s bad performances since the start of the season.
Remo Stars suffered their first loss of the season, going down 1-0 to Kwara United in Ilorin. Abdulraheem Shola’s strike in the 56th minute settled the game in favour of the home side and ended the visitors’ 100 percent start to the new campaign.
Plateau United compounded the misery of newcomers Ikorodu City FC with a 1-0 victory at the Jos International Stadium.
Vincent Temitope scored in the 57th minute to secure for the hosts their second win of the season. Ikorodu City suffered their fourth loss in five matches and return to the bottom of the table, following Lobi Stars’ win on Saturday.
Enugu Rangers emerged victorious in the Oriental Derby with a 1-0 win over Abia Warriors. Kazeem Ogunleye who was suspended for Rangers’ clash at Remo Stars on matchday 4, scored the only goal of the game in the 59th minute.
Rangers climbed up to fourth on the log, as the win complemented their 1-0 win over Bayelsa United in their rescheduled Week 3 fixture last week.
Enyimba were leading Katsina United 3-0 at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba before was suspended due to a power outage. It will be concluded on Monday.
Ekene Awazie, Ifeanyi Ihemekwele and Kalu Nweke were the goal scorers for the home team before the suspension in the 70th minute.
RESULTS
Nasarawa United 0-0 Bayelsa United
Kano Pillars 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Rangers 1-0 Abia Warriors
Kwara United 1-0 Remo Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Ikorodu City
Heartland 2-0 Tornadoes
Rivers United 2-1 Akwa United
Enyimba 3-0 Katsina United
*Enyimba versus Katsina United will be completed on Monday by 8am after power outage forced a postponement.
