.Lobi Stars dethrone ‘excused’ Remo Stars, Enyimba, Insurance draw
Ibrahim Mustapha scored two goals, yesterday, as Kano Pillars walloped Sunshine Stars of Akure 5-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium to move up to the third position in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) table.
On a week most of the games ended in late wins, Kano Pillars found their scoring boots as early as the fourth minute of the game when Auwali Ali Malam found the net even before some of the fans settled down to enjoy the goal fest.
Old warhorse and Kano Pillars Captain, Rabiu Ali, increased the tally in the 21st minute before Mustapha took centre stage with goals in the 48th and 52nd minutes to the delight of Sai Masu Gida’s supporters, who urged their heroes on for more goals, while Sunshine Stars tried to curtail the damage.
Mustapha Umar completed the rout in the 55th minute before Sunshine Stars got a consolatory goal off the penalty spot in the 81st minute.
Yesterday’s win propelled Kano Pillars to the third position above Enyimba with a superior goal difference as both teams and second-placed Remo Stars are tied on 36 points from 21 matches.
Enyimba drew goalless with Bendel Insurance on Saturday to drop to the fourth position, just as Kwara United and Katsina United ended their midtable clash 1-1 at the Ilorin Township Stadium.
Adesina Issa Gata gave Kwara United the lead in the 44th minute, while Michale Okoro Ibe equalized for the Kaduna lads in the 86th minute.
Lobi Stars took the leadership of the league from Remo Stars with their 1-0 defeat of bottom club, Heartland of Owerri, at the Lafia Township Stadium. Kumanda Suur’s 86th-minute goal separated the teams.
Former leaders, Remo Stars, were not in action yesterday as their Week 21 opponents, Rivers United, were away in Angola for a CAF Confederation Cup tie. They are tied on 36 points with Kano Pillars and Enyimba, but the Bet9ja boys are second due to their superior goal difference from the duo.
Bayelsa United recorded the upset of the week with a 1-0 defeat of Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. Eyong Nneyi Ofem’s 77th-minute strike made the difference, taking Bayelsa United up to 16th position, while Akwa United dropped to the relegation zone (18th).
Elsewhere, Gombe United defeated Sporting Lagos 2-0 at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe; Niger Tornadoes defeated Abia Warriors 1-0, while Plateau United and Shooting Stars of Ibadan settled for a goalless draw at the Jos Township Stadium.
