NPFL Week 29 Round Up: Enyimba, Heartland end goalless

The oriental derby between Enyimba and Heartland ended in a stalemate as it failed to live up to the pre-match hype no thanks to the heavy rainfall at the Aba Stadium

ENUGU RANGERS 1-0 FC TARABA

The Flying Antelopes scrapped to a narrow 1-0 win over troubled Jalingo Boys at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

It was the fourth straight game that the Coal City giants have played without defeat having recorded back to back wins over Dolphins and Warri Wolves, then a draw against Abia Warriors to a goalless draw in Umuahia..

Samuel Agba's goal in the closing stages of the first half was what the home team needed to improve their points haul to 41 from 29 games. FC Taraba by the virtue of the defeat are now 19th on the log with 34 points 29 matches.


SUNSHINE STARS 0-0 AKWA UNITED

The Akure Gunners failed to capitalise on their impressive away draw in Jalingo as they allowed Akwa United to get a share of the spoils at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday evening.

Akwa United went into the tie after a 2-0 home win over Giwa FC and they have vowed to pick at least a draw in Akure which they eventually did despite the volatile atmosphere towards the end of the Week 29 tango.

Sunshine Stars have 42 points from 29 games while the Promise Keepers improved to 43 points from as many games.

GIWA FC 2-0 BAYELSA UNITED

The Jos Elephant plunged the Restoration Boys back into the relegation zone after losing to the  premier league newcomers 2-0 at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.

Chris Madaki shot Giwa FC in the lead as early as the sixth minute before David Nnoke slotted home the second in the 65th minute.

Giwa FC jumped to joint fourth alongside Nasarawa United with same 44 points from 29 matches each. They have same goals difference of +5 while Bayelsa United are 16th with 36 points from same number of matches.

KANO PILLARS 3-0 LOBI STARS

The Sai Masu Gida have opened up a five point gap between them and their closest rivals, Dolphins after an emphatic 3-0 home win over the Makurdi Bombers at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari on Sunday evening.

Theophilus Afelokhai in goal for the home team gave his team the curtain raiser from the penalty spot after the centre referee adjudged that Azeez Shobowale was fouled in the 18 yard box. Shobowale and Ubong Ekpai increased the tally further as the Kano side rolled over their opponents this term.

The game was 1-1 apiece when it was played last season after Pillars' Rabiu Ali lost a dying minute spot kick but this term, there was no hiding place for Lobi Stars.

Pillars have 50 points from 29 games and are in cruise control to win a straight third league title at the end of the season to become the second to achieve the feat after Enyimba. Lobi slide down to mid table with 41 points from as many matches.

ENYIMBA FC 0-0 HEARTLAND FC

It was supposed to be highlight of the Premier League Week 29 matches but the heavy downpour in the town of Aba for the past four days to the encounter didn't allow the game to live up to the pre-match hype.

Both players played under a waterlogged pitch which didn't allow the fans to enjoy a free flow of soccer. The latest home draw against the Naze Millionaires might have ended the People's Elephant's title ambition but it is still too early to push Enyimba out of the challenge as they still have a way of springing surprises when least expected.

Enyimba remain third with 44 points from 29 games but could slide down further if Warri Wolves beat Abia Warriors in the delayed match fixed for Monday morning after heavy rain on Sunday in Warri. Heartland on their own part have 41 points from 29 games.

NEMBE CITY 1-1 CROWN FC

Nembe City have put themselves in further insecure position having played a 1-1 draw against their direct relegation zone battlers, Crown FC at Omoku. 

The Yenagoa side had to come back from a goal down before pulling a sensational draw six minutes from full time through Tolumoye Tonkmor.

The Ajilete Boys had drawn the first blood through Onyekachi Okafor in the 71st minute but they were unable to get the match needed away win.

Nembe City have 25 points from 26 games with two outstanding games against Giwa FC and Lobi Stars while Crown are on 34 points from 28 games.


EL KANEMI WARRIORS 1-1 SHARKS FC

The Maiduguri side faltered again at home after they couldn't make home advantage count against the Blue Angels at the Kano Pillars Stadium in the first of the double header decided on Sunday afternoon.

Sharks who are making a late resurgence on the league log after some dreaded results recently shot into the lead through Salawo Ibrahim in the 13th minute but former Lobi Stars' Emma Ajia made sure honours are evened two minutes into the second half.

El Kanemi have 40 points from 29 games while Sharks are on 42 points from the same number of matches.

KADUNA UNITED 3-0 GOMBE UNITED

The Crocodile Boys are still defying all odds to keep themselves competitive in the premier league despite being owed close to a year salary arrears among other bonuses. They did lose 3-0 to Sharks in their last league encounter but it was because they arrived Port Harcourt very late for the encounter.

They had stormed the Kaduna government house to seek audience with the governor last week just a day after they defeated Crown FC 5-0 in a league tie.

Arinze Nwankwo and Musa Suleiman were among the goals scorers and the win lifted Kaduna United above the relegation zone to 15th spot with 36 points from as many games. The loss meant that Gombe United strayed back to the bottom half with 35 points from 29 games.


DOLPHINS 2-1 NASARAWA UNITED

Emem Eduok and Chizoba Amaefula showed they were in the best form of their lives after they both netted for the Pride of Port Harcourt in their 2-1 slim home win over Nasarawa United at the Liberation Stadium, Elekahia on Sunday.

Both players scored both goals in the Dolphins' last home 2-0 win over Gombe United last Sunday in a Week 27 tie while Eduok was also on the scorer's chart in his side's 1-3 loss to Warri Wolves last Wednesday.

It was a precious win for Dolphins as it has taken them to second spot on the log for the first time in recent times as they have now gathered 45 points from 29 games.

Nasarawa United on their part went down to fourth with 44 points from 29 games.