Akwa United 3-1 MFM FC
After suffering a loss to Enyimba last Saturday, Akwa United outclassed MFM FC 3-1 at the magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Striker Hassan Babangida put his side ahead through a perfect delivery from Aniekan Ekpe midway through the first half of the tie. Talented central midfielder Yusuf Adio made it two-nil with seventeen minutes left on the clock. It was 3-0 when enterprising winger Friday Ubong excellently executed a free kick in the first minute of injury time. Ifeanyi Ifeanyi later reduced the scoreline for MFM FC with a face saving goal from the penalty spot.
El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
El-Kanemi Warriors put up a scintillating performance on Saturday afternoon to pick all three points when they played against Niger Tornadoes at the El-Kanemi Stadium in the match day 34 fixture of the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League. The game, as usual, started off in a high tempo with Warriors having the better of the exchanges. Their dominance however was met by stiff opposition from Chinedu Nwanze and his colleagues who did all they could to protect goalkeeper Aliko Mustapha who was in post for the Ikon Allah Boys. Warriors kept pressing for the first goal and in some ways pinned Tornadoes into their own half making the likes of Solomon Owello, Ifeanyi Okoye and Lukman Mohammed to join the defence. The virginity of the game was finally broken in the 45th minute when the home side, Warriors grabbed the first goal thanks to Chinedu Ohanachom's strike from Samuel Mathias' well laid assist. The slim advantage gingered the Desert Warriors who took the game to Tornadoes at the beginning of the second stanza, but Abubakar Bala's men will not go down without a fight. Tornadoes probed for an equalizer but their hopes was dashed when Aliko was sent to the showers for a foul on a goal-bound Japhet Daniel twenty minutes into the second half. Hussaini Mohammed composed himself and sent substitute goalie Nobas Omoreige the wrong way for the second goal of the match. That in a way gave Warriors some edge over Tornadoes as they continued to dominate play with the away team sitting deep, soaking the pressure and hitting them on the counter-attack. At the end of proceedings it was three points in the bag for El-Kanemi Warriors, while Tornadoes went home empty handed.
Enugu Rangers 4-0 Rivers United
Enugu Rangers claimed a flawless 4-0 annihilation of title rivals, Rivers United, at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The massacre catapulted the Flying Antelopes to the summit of the NPFL table, with 54 points from 32 games, one point ahead of the Pride of Rivers who dropped a place to second. There was no hiding place for Stanley Eguma's charges who couldn't escape the ruthlessness of the Imama Amakpakabo managed Flying Antelopes. Rangers went ahead in the 40th minute courtesy of a strike from Tope Olusesi. The lead was doubled two minutes after recess, as Olusesi picked out Godwin Aguda inside the area and the winger put the ball beyond a helpless Abiodun Akande. Rivers United, meanwhile, failed to sparkle, as Guy Kuemian and Chinonso Okonkwo struggled to get their bearing in the game. Christian Madu came close to getting a third for Rangers in the 59th minute but his powerful volley was palmed away by Akande. Rangers were reduced to 10 men after 60 minutes when Olusesi headbutted Ovoke. The numerical disadvantage didn't deter the unstoppable Flying Antelopes who played sexy football throughout the match duration. Madu was not to be denied in the 84th minute, the former Giwa FC midfielder curled home spectacularly from outside the box. Obinna Nwobodo rounded off the scoring, heading the ball to the back of the net from Madu's teasing cross four minutes from time.
Lobi Stars 1-0 Enyimba FC
Lobi Stars stood tall after pipping reigning NPFL champions Enyimba FC 1-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium. The homers scored very early into the first half after striker, Nanen Imenger found the back of the net in the fifth minute. Coming into the game, Lobi Stars were ahead of their opponent on goal difference. Godwin Uwua's team approached the clash in Makurdi with only one aim on their mind as they inflicted Enyimba's eighth defeat of the season. The win takes Lobi Stars to four in the table with Enyimba slipping to eight.
Kano Pillars 2-0 Sunshine Stars
A goal in each half through Amos Gyang and Gambo Mohammed gave Kano Pillars all three points at stake in their NPFL game against Sunshine Stars of Akure. While the victory lifted Pillars up on the league standings, the defeat dealt a severe blow on the continental aspirations of the Owena Waves. Gyang shot Pillars into the lead in the 42nd minute of the game after nodding home Gambo's cross. Pillars' advantage was doubled by Gambo early in the second half.
Plateau United 1-0 Shooting Stars
Zachary Baraje's Plateau United inched closer to escaping relegation as they recorded a 1-0 win over Shooting Stars at the Rwang Pam Stadium. Waheed Omololu and Kelechi John were sent off as both teams ended the game with ten men each. Benjamin Turba netted an 82nd minute penalty kick to take the Peace Boys' points tally to 45.
Warri Wolves 1-0 Nasarawa United
Warri Wolves secured a 1-0 win over Nasarawa United at the Warri City Stadium. The Seasiders, who are still nursing the hope of staying afloat at the end of the season were made to work hard for their three points by the guests who withstood all the waves of attack launched by their hosts. Substitute Kelvin Itoya scored the only goal of the encounter from the penalty spot to spark celebration among the Warri supporters. Wolves are now on 39 points, while Nasarawa United are seven points better.
Heartland FC 0-1 Ikorodu United
The shock of the weekend took place at the Dan Anyiam Stadium as unfancied Ikorodu United claimed their 5th win of the season by edging Heartland FC 1-0.Former Prime FC striker Fatai Abdullahi bagged the game's only goal in the 54th minute, with goalkeeper Ebele Obi failing to keep out his effort. The hosts stretched the Oga Boys at every opportunity, with Emeka Oghugh, Omo Johnson and Anthony Oussou threatening on a number of occasions.
