Rivers United reclaimed the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) top spot but Plateau United will only play their game on Wednesday against Gombe United and regain the position.
Rivers United ended the six-game unbeaten away run of Enugu Rangers in Port Harcourt on Sunday while Akwa United and Sunshine Stars returned to winning ways before their fans as the league season entered MatchDay 14.
At the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Sunshine Stars bounced back to winning ways after a slim 1-0 win over Kwara United.
The Owena Whales had lost by a lone goal to Niger Tornadoes on Wednesday by virtually the last kick of the game in Abuja but they showed they were more businesslike when Abdul Taofeek shot them ahead in the second minute of the tie.
It was the only goal of the game and it also ended a run of four games without a victory.
Sunshine Stars are 11th on the table with 17 points from 13 games but Kwara United have slipped to the sixth spot with 21 points.
The Qua Iboe derby produced five goals between Akwa United and Dakkada FC with the home team securing their first win in Uyo after four games since January 16th, 2022 when they beat Katsina United 2-0 in a MatchDay 6 tie.
They had suffered three successive home draws with Sunshine Stars, Kwara United and Heartland with the latter tie leading to the disengagement of the former boss, Kennedy Boboye.
The frenetic encounter saw Femi Ajayi scoring the curtain-raiser for the Dakkada in the 17th minute after a brilliant pass from Solomon Kantoma but the Promise Keepers equalised 13th minutes later from the spot-kick after the goal scorer, Samuel Amadi was upended in the 18 yard box moments earlier.
Akwa United then took the lead through Wisdom Fernando in the 51st minute off a good cross from Ubong Essien and they made it 3-1 in the 75th minute after a wonderful solo effort from Ezekiel Bassey.
Dakkada’s Rivio Ayemwenre reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 79th minute to make it their third consecutive loss.
The win has taken the Promise Keepers to the 5th spot with 23 points from 14 games and it was also the first time this season that the league’s reigning champions would win two straight games but Dakkada continues to court the relegation zone as they are 18th with 12 points.
At the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers United put an end to Enugu Rangers’ unbeaten run in their away matches to assume the leadership of the league table at least for the next 24 hours with 29 points from 14 games after a 1-0 win.
Both teams were placed second and third spots on the league table before the tie but the Rivers United notched the all-important goal in the 61st minute through Nyima Nwagua who tapped in from close range after Morice Chukwu’s free-kick hit the woodwork and fell to his path.
Rangers remain in the top spot with 23 points but the position may change after Monday rescheduled MatchDay 14
NPFL/Nnenna.
O
NPFL: Rivers United Top Post, End Rangers Away Run
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn
Read Related News On TDPel Media
