By Telema Davies
Sharks Football Club of Port-Harcourt are making a strong case towards winning the league title for the first time ever. Their title ambition was given a boost as they claimed a 2-1 win over Abia Warriors at the Sharks Stadium. The renewed confidence among Gbenga Ogunbote’s wards was palpable in their display against the Warriors of Abia State. Two first half goals from Christian Pyagbara were just enough for Sharks to secure victory over their league rivals on home ground.
The Blue Angels who are looking like the surprise team of the season in the current campaign had many more chances to increase their tally, but they got the job done early on in the game. Though Abia Warriors pulled a goal back through Peter Onyekachi in the second interval to reduce the deficit. However, the damage had been done by Sharks as they remain top of the log with 30 points from 16 matches played so far.
At the Enyimba International Stadium Aba, Mfon Udoh was once again on the score sheet to earn the People’s Elephant a one-nil victory over Dolphins Football Club. The striker is proving to be the game changer as contest in the league thickens. Barely three days ago, Udoh scored a brace against Nembe City to help the 2-time CAF Champions League winners continue to mount pressure for the title this season. His goal of the day was his seventh in the ongoing campaign of the Globacom Nigeria Professional Football League.
At the Krisdera Hotel Stadium, which currently serves as a home ground for Nembe City, reigning Premier League champions, Kano Pillars, were held to a 1-1 draw. Masu Gida’s wobbly form in the league continued as they were pinned back by an enterprising Nembe City. Midfield marshal, Rabiu Ali, gave the visitors their lead as he converted from the penalty spot. Collins Kuote cancelled out Rabiu’s goal when he rifled an effort past goalkeeper Joseph Onwuga of Kano Pillars to restore parity.
Three minutes…and that was all Lobi Stars needed to claim all three points against Bayelsa United. The backline of Bayelsa United were well organized and could hardly be broken down in exchanges of the first 45 minutes. Lobi Stars kept on with the pressure and were eventually rewarded four minutes from time and rightly so, with a penalty after a defender handled the ball in the area. The conversion gave life to a sustained pressure and they grabbed a second through Audu Seriki in added time.
It was more misery for ex-Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh and the Flying Antelopes as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in the hands of Nasarawa United at the Lafia Township Stadium. The oriental campaigners who dropped to 17th position on the log, recorded their eighth loss of the season to continue on a dismal outing so far. There have been calls from several quarters for the sack of Coach Obuh; this loss will only heighten that concern among fans and administrators of the club.
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