By Tonte Davies
After week 14 matches, Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, Rivers state are basking in their 1-0 win over Enugu Rangers FC. Sharks FC’s goal came in the 18th minute from a header by Christian Pyagbara and the goal proved enough to keep the club top of the log. Played in Port Harcourt, Sharks FC are on 26 points, two points ahead of second-placed Nasarawa United while Enugu Rangers are on 17 points.
The People’s Elephant Enyimba FC of Aba, Abia state, will probably make the list of team of the week as they secured a 1-1 draw away to El-Kanemi of Borno. Kingsley Sokari put the visitors ahead courtesy a Suleiman Dorri error just before half-time break. When you thought Enyimba may well return home with maximum three points which would [temporarily]keep them in fourth place on 21 points, El-Kanemi struck. After much toiling El-Kanemi finally got a relief with Enyimba’s captain Chinedu Udoji handling the ball in the area. Emmanuel Anayo scored from the spot making the final result even.
Glo NPFL title champions Kano Pillars seem to have difficulty replicating their efforts of last two seasons. Sitting 10th on the log with 18 points (Kick Off Nigeria), Masu Gida as fondly called, Kano Pillars were fortunate to earn a draw against Kaduna United in Kaduna state. Masu Gida came from behind two times to level the game 2-2 after 90 minutes. Samuel Agba gave the opener in 29 minutes for the host which remained so until halftime. Fifteen minutes into the second half, Kano Pillars equalized through Rabiu Ali who scored the second goal for Pillars after Agba had earlier put the host ahead a second time.
Akwa United are obviously not on top of the league table after Wednesday’s midweek match against Bayelsa United. The Akwa Ibom state-based team slumped further both in terms of result and table position as they lost to fellow Niger Delta rival. Bayelsa United won the fixture with a lone goal from Peter Ebimobowei’s early strike taking the Bayelsa United to fourth on the table with 20 points and two games in hand. Akwa United are seventh with 19 points.
An Oriental Derby in Owerri between Heartland FC and Abia Warriors ended with both sides sharing the spoils. The game produced “breath-taking football” to the extent even the heavy downpour could not stop it. Abia Warriors took the lead before the break from an Ifeanyi Onyeali strike. Heartland’s equalizer came courtesy of a bundle down of Kabiru Waziri by Chuks Sampson in the penalty area. Bright Ejike converted the spot kick regardless of Warriors keeper Joseph Onuoha getting a hand on the ball. The match ended 1-1 after full time.
Lobi Stars, Nasarawa United, Nembe City and Crown FC grabbed maximum three points in their respective matches. Lobi Stars defeated FC Taraba 3-1; Nasarawa United won their game with 2-0 against Plateau-based Giwa FC; Nembe City asserted their third win of the season with a 1-0 win over Dolphins FC; Crown FC capped their encounter over Warri Wolves with a 2-1 win in Ogbomosho Town.
Gombe United will take on Sunshine Stars in Bauchi later today. Gombe United were away from their home-ground as a result of violent conduct and will play their next three home games in Bauchi state.