Adamu Hassan scored a brace as Glo Premier champions Kano Pillars thrashed leaders Sharks FC 4-1 in the Pyramid City on Wednesday.
Azeez Shobowale opened scoring for the ‘Sai Masugida’ in the fifth minute, before Nigeria team B midfielder Rabiu Ali doubled the lead on 26 minutes.
Hassan came up with Pillars’ third and fourth goals via superb headers in the 52nd and 68th minutes respectively.
The win, which is the hosts’ biggest in the current campaign, projected them to second position with 28 points, two points shy of Sharks, who have played one match more.
Sharks consolation goal was scored by Christian Pyagbara from the penalty spot on 73 minutes.
Enugu Rangers beat visiting Lobi Stars 3-1. Emeka Eze placed Rangers in the ascendancy in first-half stoppage time and Christian Obiozor came up with a second-half brace in the 55th and 66th minutes.
Barnabas Imenger (Jn) pulled a goal back for Lobi six minutes to the dead.
Nasarawa United claimed a point after playing out a goalless draw at Nembe City.
Heartland held host Sunshine Stars to a 2-2 draw in Akure. Okouka Happy opened scoring for the vistors on 29 minutes before super-sub Muyiwa Lawal drew the ‘Akure Gunners level in first-half regulation time.
Muyiwa was however the architect of the hosts second goal two minutes after the restart, when his shot was converted by Doumbia Zoumana for an own-goal.
Okouka leveled for the Naze Millionaires with his brace to help visitors etch out a point.
Sunshine Stars are 8th on the league standings with 26 points, while Heartland have 24 points after 18 matches.
There were also big wins for El-Kanemi Warriors and Abia Warriors.
El-Kanemi dumped Kaduna United 4-0 and Abia Warriors were routed Akwa United 4-1.
Match Day 18 Results
El-Kanemi 4-0 Kaduna United
Kano Pillars 4-1 Sharks
Sunshine Stars 2-2 Heartland
Abia Warriors 4-1 Akwa United
Dolphins 2-0 FC Taraba
Rangers 3-1 Lobi Stars
Giwa FC 2-0 Crown FC
Enyimba 2-0 Gombe United
Nembe City 0-0 Nasarawa United
