Glo Premier League champions Kano Pillars squandered a two-goal lead to settle for draw against a resilient Dolphins FC in front of their home crowd on Sunday.
Wikki Tourists moved top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table, courtesy of a lone-goal victory away to FC IfeanyiUbah as Sunshine Stars suffered just their fourth defeat of the season and Enyimba International FC saw off Nasarawa United to close gap with the teams at the top of the pack and take their unbeaten run to seven matches (their last defeat came on 3 May at FC IfeanyiUbah).
Giwa FC 3-1 El-Kanemi
Giwa FC continued their impressive run this season, dispatching El-Kanemi Warriors by a two-goal margin.
The Jos Elephants hit the ground running within two minutes of play with Edoh Ocheme thumping home an opening header.
The hosts were 3-0 up before the break, including a brilliant strike from the A dead ball by Shuaibu Ibrahim on 28th minute.
Bamai Bukar grabbed consolatory goal for El-Kanemi in the 75th minutes but it was not sufficient to stave off defeat.
Giwa are fourth on the standings with 24 points and are at home to Dolphins FC on Match Day 15.
Kano Pillars 2-2 Dolphins
Dolphins pulled off an overwhelming fightback away to champions Kano Pillars.
Sai Masu Gida were cruising to a 2-goal win as early as the second minute of the second stanza, but waned in strength and vigour as the half wore on, as goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai’s undoing did little to help situations.
The rampant home team controlled much of the proceedings and were duly in front four minutes after the opening quarter, when Adamu Mohammed converted a rebound of Eneji Otekpa free-kick by goalkeeper Godwin Abalogu.
Afelokhai was well positioned to deny Jonathan Zikiye’s shot on 37 minutes, but it was the three-time champions who doubled their tally immediately after the break.
Anefiok Godspower marveled his way past two home defenders to get at sight of Afelokhai’s goal, and made no mistake from almost 25 yards.
Ghanaian export Godbless Asamoah pulled one back for the Port-Harcourt side eight minutes after the hour mark, capitalising on a blunder from the highly rated Afelokhai, who could not gather a long range shot by substitute Ifeanyi Egwim.
Egwim also had his shot scrambled for a corner kick by Afelokhai before Zikiye scored to level scores. Zikiye got on the end of a cross by Ayo Saka and his shot was deflected beyond the goalkeeper, as Dolphins ended the match sharing the spoil much to the disappointment of the home crowd at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Sabon Gari.
Pillars are down to seventh on the log, five points adrift of leaders Wikki Tourists after 14 round of matches.
Struggling Dolphins have now drawn five of their matches so far, but did enough to avoid sinking further down the log.
FC Ifeanyiubah 0-1 Wikki
Wikki Tourists moved top of the Glo Premier League standings, courtesy of a solitary goal win at IfeanyiUbah.
Both sides went into the interval deadlocked, but Chukwudi Samuel provided the strike that separated both sides 13 minutes from time.
The coach Abdul Maikaba-tutored lads now have 26 points and have now leapfrogged Sunshine Stars at the top of the standings.
Rangers 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Sunshine Stars suffered their fourth defeat of the season away to Enugu Rangers.
Alex Emenike came up with The Flying Antelopes’ match-winner on the opening quarter.
Eighth-placed Rangers now have 20 points and are at home to a team a spot above in the placement, Pillars, on Match Day 15.
Sunshine Stars dropped just a spot down the ladder and will have the chance to consolidate for Sunday’s defeat when they host Akwa United next.
Akwa Utd 1-1 Warri Wolves
TODAY in #GloNPFL Cheerleaders performing during half-time interval at the Nest of Champions. #AKWWOL @LMCNPFL pic.twitter.com/MQDbt0xlZw
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) June 28, 2015
Akwa United and Warri Wolves played out a score draw at the Nest of Champions Stadium, Uyo.
Playing in the magnificent ultra-modern facility, Warri Wolves’ Gbolahan Salami stole initiative from the ground’s adoptees to become the first player to score a league goal at the stadium, when he placed the visitors ahead on 74 minutes; finishing off a Stanley Dimgba’s pass.
Akwa restored parity five minutes after the opener, with Abdulafeez Awakan collecting a poor clearance and then firing home from 16 yards.
Akwa now have 15 points from 14 games, while Wolves have 17 points from 11 matches.
Match Day 14 Results
Sharks 1-1 Heartland
Enyimba 2-0 Nasarawa Utd
Bayelsa Utd 2-0 Kwara Utd
Lobi Stars 2-0 Abia Warriors
