By Daily Sports on February 25, 2016

Here is a round-up of yesterday’s Nigeria Professional Football League games played across seven centres. It comes courtesy of Goal.

Enugu Rangers 3-1 Plateau United

Enugu Rangers came from behind to defeat Plateau United 3-1 in the Nigeria Professional Football League on Wednesday.

Chisom Egbuchulam climbed off the bench to wave his magic for the Flying Antelopes as he set up a goal before sensationally netting in ho the second half to snatch victory for the hosts.

Plateau United made their intentions clear from the onset as they made a string of double incursions in the opening minutes of the half. Rangers took time to respond to the threats posed by their Jos guests.

Kim John shot the visitors upfront eight minutes into the game at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium.

In the 37th minute, Godwin Aguda stole the ball and drove into the box, but the ball was stuck in his feet before fighting to shoot feebly at goal.

Aguda was once again presented with the brightest opportunity of the first-half when he was put through on goal by Okey Odita inside the box but lack of vision failed him as he wasted the chance

The Flying Antelopes tried to express early dominance as the influence of Osas Okoro told. In one split of brilliance, the former Heartland forward broke loose, before releasing a brilliant effort that was well saved by Innocent Ndem in goal for Plateau United.

However, substitute Egbuchulam stepped into the game in the second half and showed why he is the super-sub of his team.

Togaba Komlan equalised for the home team in the 54th minute before Egbuchulam set up Nnamdi Anyansodo with a sweet cross.

Egbuchulam then brilliantly claimed the ball inside the box and scored with seven minutes left.

MFM FC 2-1 Rivers United

Giant killers MFM FC were given a timely reminder that matches will not always be a walk in the park.

Against Rivers United – a game the Olukoya Boys won 2-1 – Fidelis Ilechukwu's side held on doggedly in a game they looked to have in the bag until Fred Obomate scored a stunning header for the Pride of Rivers in the second half.

However, it is what championship teams do – win matches even when things don’t always go so well.

At half time, supporters at the Agege Towsnhip Stadium must have felt MFM FC would walk away with a big victory.

The played like they owned the place in the second half, toying with the hosts defence as though they were in a training session.

MFM were in front when Ifeanyi Ifeanyi netted from the penalty spot in the 18th minute after Chidi Akuneto was brought down in the area.

The second goal, scored by tricky forward Sikiru Olatunbosun six minutes later was a touch of sheer brilliance.

Rivers United must have been relieved when the referee blew for half time because they were taught a footballing lesson by their hosts.

They never looked comfortable when MFM FC were in possession and at times were guilty of giving the home players far too much time on the ball to look up and make a pass.

In the second period, Rivers United woke up from their slumber and reduced the deficit with a phenomenal goal from Obomate.

The attacking midfielder gave James Aiyeyemi, who was on a bit of a holiday before the goal, no chance whatsoever.

Rivers United were the better side in the second half and should have snatched a point.

However, the newly promoted MFM FC held on to the three maximum points. MFM FC have shot to the top of the league table with six points from two games.

Wikki Tourists 0-0 Heartland FC

Wikki Tourists side were held to a goalless draw by Heartland FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League week two game at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium on Wednesday.

This was a particular game the hosts failed to show quality in any of their departments and needed luck to end the game with a point after Heartland had wasted some glorious chances late in the game.

For Abdul Maikaba, this was a disappointing display from his side after their 1-0 win at El-Kanemi Warriors in the match day one.

The results means a major alterations in Wikki Tourists’ standing on the league table.

Niger Tornadoes 1-1 Giwa FC

Two stunning strikes were netted as Niger Tornadoes and Giwa FC played to a 1-1 draw in a Nigeria Professional Football League cracker at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium.

Lukman Mohammed's superb opener was cancelled out by a thunderous strike from Jos Elephants' Ibrahim Salawu.

The teams entered the game needing morale boosting result after they lost their last matches.

Despite an electrifying opening ten minutes, the game died down significantly as the two teams looked scared to expose their shaky defensive lines in a goalless first 40 minutes.

Mohammed opened the scoring in emphatic style in the 45th minute. The ball popped up favourably for the striker on the edge of the area and he gladly accepted the invitation, hammering in an unstoppable volley past Olorunleke Ojo.

Twenty-six minutes to the end of the pulsating encounter, the crowd was stunned in to silence. Salawu beat the offside trap before hitting a thunderous effort into the net to equalise.

Niger Tornadoes had a penalty appeal turned down by the centre referee in the 70th minute mark.

Giwa looked contented with a draw and successfully saw out a nervy three minutes of stoppage time to secure a valuable point on the road.

Lobi Stars 2-1 Sunshine Stars

Lobi Stars made it two wins in two games as they edged Sunshine Stars 2-1 in Makurdi.

Anthony Okpotu was hero as he bagged two goals for the Pride of Benue.

The Owena Waves, suffering an indifferent start to the season unlike previous season, failed to break down a resilient Lobi Stars team at the Aper Aku Stadium.

Okpotu gave Lobi Stars a deserved lead as his connection from a through ball broke the deadlock nine minutes to the end of the first stanza.

Sunshine Stars pegged back the home side with Sunday Emmanuel netting a much needed leveller for them in the 68th minutes.

With twenty minutes left on the clock, Okpotu completed his brace in the match.

A huge sigh of relief was visible on the face of Lobi Stars technical manager Godwin Uwua after the referee brought an end to the proceedings.

Abia Warriors 2-1 El-Kanemi Warriors

Substitute Michael Olaha struck a late winner as 10-man Abia Warriors won 2-1 against El Kanemi Warriors.

The wonder kid showed why he is highly rated as he popped up to net an amazing goal for the home side on Wednesday.

Abia Warriors broke the deadlock in the fourth minute through their talisman Chisom Chikatara who benefited from an excellent pass to his path by birthday boy Bolaji Sakin.

The away side were presented with the chance to score in the ninth minute and Mustapha Ibrahim gladly took it with Chinedu Ohanachom accounting for the assist.

Things went from bad to worst for Abia Warriors in the 33rd minute when Henry Ochuba was sent off for a second bookable offense.

Despite being a man down, Kennedy Boboye's had more in their armoury with young striker Olaha netting what later turned out to be the match winner.

The visitors continued to push for an equaliser in the closing stages of the half but Boboye’s charges managed to hold out for the win.

•Photo shows Chisom Chikatara on duty for Abia Warriors.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 25, 2016

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