Foreign Imports Shoot IfeanyiUbah to the Summit

NPFL… NPFL… NPFL…

Duro Ikhazuagbe
Goals from Ivorian Pascal Seka and Camerounian midfielder Tamen Medrano gave FC IfeanyiUbah 2-0 victory over visiting Plateau United wednesday. The victory has shot the Nnewi club to the leadership of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

IfeanyiUbah now have 19 points from ten matches as against Rangers’ 18 points. The Flying Antelopes were held to a 1-1 draw by MFM FC at the Agege Stadium yesterday.

Seka gave IfeanyiUbah a first-half advantage from the spot in the 18th minute, when goal-bound Bright Onyedikachi was brought down inside the box.

Medrano took the game beyond the reach of the men from Jos Plateau when moments after coming off the bench, struck a thunderbolt from 20 yards to double IfeanyiUbah’s advantage.

Former leaders, Rangers were looking forward to consolidating on the summit of the NPFL with former Nigeria’s Flying Eagles star Obinna Nwobodo’s 36th minute advantage. That goal came through the solo effort of Nwobodo.
But MFM fought back gamely in the second half to level scores at 1-1 in the 68 minutes through a superb volley by Stephen Odey. MFM is sixth on the NPFL standing with 16 points from 10 games.

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars picked maximum points off visiting Ikorodu United with a 2-0 victory. That defeat leaves Ikorodu sitting pretty in the 19th place on five points from 10 games while Shooting with an outstanding match is in the middle of the pile. Sunday Adetunji grabbed the two goals for the Oluyole Warriors.

Giwa FC also enjoyed the home aura in Jos handing out a similar 2-0 defeat to past champion Kano Pillars. An own goal in the 72nd minute and a 22nd minute goal by Aminu Mbai combined for hosts Giwa to down Pillars at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.

There was also a home win for Rivers United after they pipped El Kanemi 1-1, while Lobi Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Wikki Tourists and hosts Tornadoes forced Sunshine Stars to a 2-2 draw.