By Tunde Liadi
Enugu Rangers, Nasarawa United, Dakkada FC, Abia Warriors and Remo Stars all got morale boosting home wins while Akwa United and Gombe United picked valuable away points as the 2021-22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season entered Matchday 21 on Wednesday.
Enugu Rangers tightened their grip on third spot of the log with a narrow 1-0 home win over a stubborn Katsina United at the Awka City Stadium, Awka, Anambra State. It is their second successive victory since moving to their new adopted home from Nnewi.
Chukwuebuka Okorie scored the only goal of the game in the 58th minute to power the Flying Antelopes to 37 points. They have cut the gap on second placed Plateau United to four points but the Plateau will face Niger Tornadoes on Thursday at home.
At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Dakkada FC recorded another home win to surge away from the relegation zone after beating Kwara United 2-0. The goals came in each half and the win moves Dakkada to 15th spot with 24 points while Kwara United slipped to the fifth spot as a result of the loss.
Emmanuel Anyaosi got the curtain raiser in the 34th minute before Etido Dan’s 90th minute strike made certain of the maximum points.
Abia Warriors got a rare win over Enyimba in the Oriental derby decided at the Okigwe Township Stadium. The vital home win takes the Umuahia side to 25 as they leaped to the 13th spot.
Yakub Hammed shot Abia Warriors ahead in the 30th minute while Valentine Odoh doubled the advantage seven minutes later for his seventh of the season. Pascal Eze halved the deficit for his first goal for Enyimba in the 45th minute and it was how the game ended.
It was a blow to Enyimba’s quest to return to the continent next season as they are 7th on the log with 29 points and 14 points adrift of leaders, Rivers United.
Kano Pillars continued their erratic display in the current campaign after a home draw against Akwa United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina. Sai Masu Gida are without a win in their last two games and are now 14th on the table with 25 points. Akwa United are also winless in five games and remain 8th on the log with 29 points.
Chinedum Ohanachom compounded the woes of Heartland FC, his immediate past team, on his second debut for Nasarawa United as he led the Solid Miners to a 2-0 victory at the New Jos Stadium, Jos.
Ohanachom opened scoring in the 9th minute before Abubakar Abdullahi ended the tie as a contest with the insurance goal in the 74th minute. The Lafia side have jumped to the 9th spot with 28 points but Heartland are stuck at the bottom with 20 points.
At the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Sikiru Alimi scored after three minutes on his debut appearance for Remo Stars to make it a golden start in their 1-0 home win over MFM. It ensured the Sky Blue Stars completed a double over the Church Boys.
Remo Stars jumped Kwara United to fourth spot with 35 points while MFM remained in the 19th spot with 20 points.
At the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Shooting Stars fired blanks against Gombe United. The Oluyole Warriors are 11th on the log with 27 points but the Desert Scorpions are a place better than their host with 28 points.
On Thursday, Wikki Tourists will host Sunshine Stars at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, Rivers United have a date with rejuvenated Lobi Stars while Plateau United will play Tornadoes in Jos.
