Wikki Tourists emerged the hero of the Globacom Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match week 14 after beating the high-flying Ifeanyi Ubah FC 1-0 in Nnewi on Sunday.
In a tightly controlled game that brought out the best in either side, it was the visitors who finally broke the deadlock and took home the maximum points through Chukwudi Samuel’s 77th minute strike. The three points earned at Nnewi ensured that Wikki Tourists overtakes Sunshine Stars at the summit of the table with 27 points from 14 matches.
Sunshine Stars, however, dropped to second spot on the table with 26 points following its 0-1 loss to Enugu Rangers at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday. Alex Emenike’s 15th minute goal earned Rangers the maximum points against the wave-riding Akure side and kept the streak of the Flying Antelopes under coach, Imama Amapakabo alive.
Enyimba International, however, moved up to the third position and are now on the same points (26) with Sunshine Stars but less goal margin on the standings after a 2-0 win over Nasarawa United in Aba. Christian Obiozor and Ifeanyi George struck either side of half time to give the People’s Elephant maximum points.
The most dramatic game of the weekend took place at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, where Dolphins FC battled Kano Pillars to a 2-2 draw. Adamu Mohammed and Godspower Aniefiok had given the champions a deserved two-goal lead in the 19th and 47th minutes respectively, before the Port Harcourt club staged an astonishing comeback to snatch a point through Godbless Asamoah and Jonathan Zikiye (67th and 79th minutes respectively). The draw eased Stanley Eguma’s side pressure and quest to climb off the relegation zone.
Giwa FC also moved up to fourth on the standings after a 3-1 thrashing of El-Kanemi Warriors in Kaduna. The Jos based club, playing at adopted venue in Kaduna, opened scoring in the 2nd minutes through Ocheme Edoh. Goals from Saleh Mohammed and Ibrahim Shuaibu completed the route.
At Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, Bright Ejike scored in the 18th minute against his former club to hand Heartland FC an early lead only for Fortune Omoniwari to equalize for Sharks at death to share the spoils. However, Ejike’s goal, his eighth league goals so far makes him the top scorer in the NPFL.
Terkaa Melai and Gbadebo Samuel were the goal-scoring heroes for Lobi Stars in their 2-0 win over Abia Warriors which compounds the woes of Ladan Bosso’s charges. Bayelsa United, another side in the relegation zone, also beat Kwara Unitedd 2-0 at Oghara in Delta State. Alex Aghogho and Festus Ajah scored the goals that guaranteed the points for the Yenagoa club.
The game between Akwa United and Warri Wolves which took place inside the prestigious Akwa Ibom International Stadium – Nest of Champions, Uyo ended 1-1. Gbolahan Salami opened the scoring for the visitors in the 74th minute but Abdulafeez Awakan equalized five minutes later to hand the home side consolation point at its new base. The game between FC. Taraba and Shooting Stars also ended 1-1.
Glo Premier League Match Week 14 Results
Ifeanyi Ubah FC 0-1 Wikki Tourists
Giwa FC 3-1 El-Kanemi Warriors
Enyimba 2-0 Nasarawa United
Bayelsa United 2-0 Kwara United
Lobi Stars 2-0 Abia Warriors
Rangers 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Kano Pillars 2-2 Dolphins
Sharks 1-1 Heartland
Akwa United 1-1 Warri Wolves
FC Taraba 1-1 Shooting Stars
By Olisemeka Obeche
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