NPFL: Abia Warriors Cage Enyimba, Heartland, Pillars Win

Abia Warriors and Heartland FC boosted their hopes of remaining in topflight Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) yesterday with victories in their rescheduled midweek matches.

Playing before their home fans, the Umuahia team snatched a 3-1 victory in the derby with champions Enyimba

Michael Olaha set Abdullahi Biffo’s side on the road for the victory when he snatched the curtain raiser 32 minutes into the first stanza.

Olaha turned provider 10 minutes later when Ndifreke Effiong turned his cross into the net.
Alloy Brown however reduced the deficit for the visitors when he scored from the spot in the 69th minute. Joseph Osadiaye was brought down in the box by an Abia Warriors defender to earn the spot kick. Shedrack Asiegbu took the game beyond the reach of Tornadoes when he got the third goal from the spot for Abia Warriors 10 minutes from time.
Abia Warriors have moved from 17th to 14th with the victory.

At the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Heartland defeated Niger Tornadoes 2-0. Captain Chinedu Efugh, got the curtain raiser five minutes before the end of first stanza while Chidiebere Ajoku sealed the victory with a second goal 20 minutes before end of regulation time.

The victory did little to assuage the fears of Owerri fans from seeing the Naze Millionaires from the drop from the topflight. They remain on 40 points and 18th on the log.

In the other midweek game in Kano, Pillars secured a narrow 1-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors. Rabiu Ali scored from the spot 15 minute into the game.