BAYELSA UNITED 1-0 ENYIMBA
The Restoration Boys beat the erstwhile league leaders Enyimba 1-0 to take up their position on the log at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa on Sunday.
Bayelsa’s Uche Ihuarulam's 17th minute goal proved to be the difference. Ladan Bosso’s side now have 55 points from 33 matches while the Peoples Elephant are three points behind in fourth with 52 points from 32 games. Bayelsa United could hold on to top spot if they beat neighbours Nembe City on Wednesday. The first leg result ended 2-0 in the league leaders’ favour. Enyimba will be praying for a slip in Yenagoa when they host Akwa United at Aba on Wednesday also in Matchday 34 clash.
LOBI STARS 2-1 KADUNA UNITED
Lobi Stars of Makurdi defeated Kaduna United 2-1 to move to 12th on the log with 45 points from 33 games after an energy sapping tie played at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium, Katsina Ala.
Two first half goals from Abraham Peters and Esosa Igbinoba put Lobi in the lead before Kaduna United reduced the arrears in the second half to make for a tension soaked climax at Katsina Ala.
Lobi started faster of the two teams right from the blast of the referee's whistle and impressive Douglas Achiv almost scored the opening goal inside the first two minutes.
The Makurdi Bombers got the curtain raiser in the 4th minute after another nice work from Achiv gave lurking Peters the opportunity to nod into an empty net. Lobi netted again before the Ben Duamlong tutored Kaduna United could recover from the initial shock. Igbinoba was the architect of the second goal after he drilled the ball beyond the reach of Kaduna United's goalkeeper.
Lobi hung on to an important victory. The win shot the Evans Ogenyi coached side to 12th on the log with 45 points from 33 games while Kaduna United slipped to 14th with 44 points from as many matches.
ABS 2-1 HEARTLAND
The privately owned side eased their relegation worries with a home win at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin.
Abdulrahman Bashir and Thomas Zenke scored for the hosts before Heartland reduced the arrears. All the three goals were scored in the first half.
ABS are 15th on the log with 44 points while Heartland slid to 11th with the same 45 points from 33 games.
ABS' head coach, Kabiru Suleiman Dogo told Goal that the club would be aiming for an away point in Enugu against the Flying Antelopes on Wednesday.
He praised his wards for ensuring that Heartland did not come back from behind the second time in the match but informed them that the game against Rangers would be key to their survival battle.
"We beat Heartland 2-1 but we have a bigger task at Enugu on Wednesday where we hope to get a positive result to ensure that we secure our objective of not going on relegation. Wednesday will be key for us and my players know this," Dogo said
3SC 2-1 ENUGU RANGERS
The two traditional clubs never disappointed in their league tie decided at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan as the Oluyole Warriors picked all available points to return the Flying Antelopes back to Enugu empty handed.
Shooting Stars’ Edem Francis got the opener from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute but their goal lasted only few minutes as impressive Chinedu Udeagha equalised for Rangers 10 minutes later.
The Oluyole Warriors dug deep and got the winning goal in the second half.
The Ibadan side are still last on the log with 39 points from 33 matches while Rangers are still fifth with 48 points from as many games.
3SC will seek second consecutive away points in Lafia against equal relegation battlers Nasarawa United on Wednesday while Rangers will trade tackles with ABS in Enugu, midweek.
SUNSHINE STARS 1-0 SHARKS
The Akure Gunners edged the Blue Angels 1-0 in a tough league encounter played Sunday evening.
Philip Auta, who has played for Enyimba, Heartland and Dolphins scored the winning goal in the first half. It was some minutes after his initial effort was inexplicably overruled by the centre referee.
Sunshine have risen to their best position in the league this season. They are placed seventh with 47 points from 33 matches while Sharks are 13th with 44 points from same number of matches.
Sunshine and Sharks will play Heartland and El Kanemi Warriors respectively at Owerri and Port Harcourt in that order this Wednesday.
EL KANEMI WARRIORS 1-0 GOMBE UNITED
El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri continued their home invincibility yesterday after they edged Gombe United 1-0 to rise to second position on the table with 54 points from 33 games.
The Maiduguri side just gained a return to the elite division at the start of the season after some seasons in the lower league, but they have gone beyond their expectation after another routine win at the El Kanemi Stadium.
The Zachary Baraje-led club are currently in a CAF Champions League spot with 54 points from as many games which is an opposite of their modest target of staying in the top flight at the beginning of the season.
The will be hoping to consolidate on their league form away to Sharks in Port Harcourt on Wednesday while Gombe United who are yet to secure an away point this season will be home to Dolphins on Wednesday also.
AKWA UNITED 1-1 NASARAWA UNITED
The Uyo side slipped to another home draw again against Nasarawa United at the Uyo Township Stadium on Sunday.
The draw has slotted Akwa United into the drop zone. They are 16th with 43 points from 33 matches while Nasarawa United are 17th with 43 points from same encounters.
Victor Namo scored his 14th goal of the season at Uyo while in-form striker and one of the closest challengers to the top scorer's award, Mfon Udoh was also on the scorer' chart. He scored his 13th goal of the campaign
Akwa United will visit Aba to play Enyimba and the Lafia team will await their guests, 3SC in a must win match.
WIKKI TOURISTS 3-0 NEMBE CITY
The Bauchi side whipped fellow relegation battlers 3-0 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium to move up just by a step on the log.
Wikki are 18th on the log with 42 points from 33 matches while Nembe are in race against time. They are 19th with 42 points from 33 matches also.
Wikki will seek another favourable result to wounded Warri Wolves while Nembe will also pray for good display against Bayelsa United in their South South derby. Both matches hold on Wednesday.
KANO PILLARS 2-0 WARRI WOLVES
Two goals from Rabiu Ali was all Sai Masu needed to turned back the resistance of Warri Wolves at the Kaduna Township Stadium where the reigning league champions were banished to after alleged crowd violence in Kano.
Ali's double took his tally for the season to 13 goals and he is barely a goal behind hotshot, Nasarawa United's Victor Namo who has fired home 14 goals.
Pillars win lifted them up to third on the table with 54 points from 32 matches while Warri Wolves slipped on the log further to ninth with 46 points from 32 games.
Pillars will play against Kaduna United in the club's supposed new home for the rest of the season while Warri Wolves will welcome Wikki Tourists to Warri on Wednesday.
DOLPHINS 1-0 KWARA UNITED
A last gasp strike from Emem Eduok handed all three points to Dolphins in a tough home clash against Kwara United at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The Afonja Warriors were almost running away with a point but momentary loss of concentration caused them to lose the match.
Dolphins are eighth with 47 points from 33 matches while Kwara United lost more ground after the defeat. They are now sixth with 47 points from 32 matches.
Dolphins visit Gombe United while Kwara United entertain Lobi Stars at Ilorin on Wednesday.
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