Enyimba International Football Club of Aba displaced Giwa FC and Sunshine Stars at the summit of Globacom sponsored Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) after beating Heartland of Owerri 2-0 in Oriental derby on Wednesday at Aba.
Goals from Chinonso Okonkwo (40th minutes) and debutant Christian Obiozor in the 53 minutes handed the people’s elephant the crucial three points against their arch-rival and raised its tally to 22 points from 12 matches; two clear of Giwa and Sunshine who still have a game in hand.
In other week 12 fixtures, El Kanemi Warriors claimed vital away point after battling Sharks FC to a goaless draw at the Port Liberation Stadium. The proceed of that match is that El Kanemi moves to joint-second spot on the standings with 20 points.
Enugu Rangers scored a late goal through Chisom Egbuchulam goal to defeat Abia Warriors 1-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium while Bayelsa United failed in their bid to climb up the relegation zone after a 0-0 draw against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) at Oghara.
Lobi, however, shook off the 3-0 loss against Shooting Stars in Ibadan on Sunday to beat Nasarawa United 2-1. Abdulrahman Bashir’s 86th minutes strike earned the Benue club maximum points against their opponent after Leonard Ugochukwu had cancelled out Akleche Enokela’s opener.
Similar scenario played out in the game between Akwa United and Kwara United played at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar. The match appeared to be heading for a draw after Kwara United’s Babalowa Azeez cancelled out Olewezi Johnson’s opener late in second half until Friday Ubong struck in the 88th minute to snatch the maximum points for Akwa United.
Elsewhere, Solomon Eludi headed home the only goal that handed Ifeanyi Ubah FC a 1-0 win over visiting Dolphins FC.
NPFL Match Day12 Results
Lobi Stars 2-1 Nasarawa United
Enyimba 2-0 Heartland
Bayelsa United 0-0 Shooting Stars
Akwa United 2-1 Kwara United
Rangers 1-0 Abia Warriors
Sharks 0-0 El Kanemi Warriors
Ifeanyi Ubah 1-0 Dolphins
Glo NPFL Matches for June 18
Kano Pillars vs Giwa FC
Sunshine Stars vs Warri Wolves
FC Taraba vs Wikki Tourists.
By Olisemeka Obeche
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