NPFL: Rivers Utd Edge Closer to Title, Beat Dakkada FC 3-2
Rivers United continued to exert their superiority over other teams with their fifth away win of the season in a 3-2 victory in Uyo over Dakkada. But in Jos, Plateau United protected their impressive record before their fans after a 4-0 home win over Enugu Rangers, in one of the Matchday 30 fixtures were decided across Nigeria. They retain their seven points advantage at the top, which they could extend to 10 with a home win over Plateau United next Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
MFM left the bottom of the log for the first time in recent weeks to occupy the 19th spot with 31 points after they grabbed their eighth home win of the season in a 3-1 success over Gombe United in a tie decided earlier on Saturday at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode. It was a fantastic weekend for Fidelis Ilechukwu and his men after Plateau United inflicted on Enugu Rangers their biggest loss of the season in a 4-0 home win to ensure they have picked up all available 45 points from the 15 games played at the New Jos Stadium.Plateau United remain in the second spot with 57 points opening a nine-point lead between them and their defeated foes.
Rangers continued to occupy the third spot with 48 points despite the loss after fourth placed Remo Stars suffered an embarrassing 3-1 home defeat to Kano Pillars.The Sky Blue Stars were beaten only for the second time this season and it was the rejuvenated Sai Masu Gida that thumped them in Ikenne.At the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, troubled Heartland FC secured their fourth successive home win after they came back from a goal down to beat Shooting Stars 3-1.
Sunshine Stars bagged a routine 2-0 home win over Katsina United through the goals of Afeez Ajagbe and Ugochukwu Leonard with the latter getting his ninth goal of the season from the penalty spot five minutes from normal time. Kwara United had Samad Kadiri to thank for their home win over Akwa United in Ilorin. The former Enyimba star notched his eighth goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 35th minute. Kwara United are on the fifth spot with 46 points but the reigning league champions slipped to the seventh spot with 44 points.
At the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, Wikki Tourists marked their return to their home ground with a lone goal win over Abia Warriors. Fuad Ekelojuoti’s strike in the 33rd minute proved to be the difference. Wikki are in 10th spot with 41 points. Abia Warriors are in the 15th spot with 36 points and only two points away from the drop zone. At the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, Enyimba and Nasarawa United played an entertaining game that produced five goals in regulation time.
Enyimba moved a step up to the sixth spot with 45 points but are still three points away from the top three while Nasarawa United slid a spot down to the 13th spot with 38 points. A total of 30 goals were scored from the nine completed games in the Matchday 30 fixtures to make it one of the most productive weeks in the league this season with Matchday 31 fixtures already fixed for midweek.
NPFL Matchday 30 Results
MFM 3-1 Gombe UtdSunshine 2-0 Katsina UtdKwara Utd 1-0 Akwa UtdHeartland 3-1 3SCRemo 1-3 Kano PillarsDakkada 2-3 Rivers UtdPlateau Utd 4-0 Rangers
Enyimba 3-2 NasarawaWikki 1-0 Abia Warriors
