By Adeyinka Akintunde, Lagos on July 11, 2016

Relegation-threatened Ikorodu United on Sunday evening snatched a point after forcing visiting Ifeanyi Ubah to a one-all draw in a Week 26 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) clash at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos. Ismaila Gata put the Anambra-based side ahead on 23 minutes, but Fatai Abdullahi rescued the homers when he rose to a header on 55 minutes to equalise for Ikorodu United.

The match witnessed by the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, saw the embattled Oga Boys betraying signs of pressure, and making some elementary mistakes which made life rather easy for the visitors.

This match saw a large contingent of supporters from Anambra State which thronged the stadium to watch their team play.

In Warri, visiting Wikki Tourists kept their hopes of winning the 2016 NPFL alive with a 1-1 draw against Warri Wolves. The hosts scored first on 32 minutes through midfielder Ewenike Achibi’s header but it was Idris Guda Mohammed who had the final word of the match, as he hit back for Wikki, seconds before the end of hostilities. The game produced another last-minute surprise as Oghali was sent off for a second bookable offence with two minutes to time, leaving Wolves to complete the game with 10 men.

Kano Pillars threw themselves back in the title race as they ran out three-nil winners over Lobi Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. They are in fourth place and four points behind Wikki.

Adamu Mohammed, Rabiu Ali and Jamiu Alimi scored for Pillars. Lobi Stars missed a spot kick to pull one back when Raphael Ayagwa fired straight at David Obiazo in Pillars’ goal from 12 yards.

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars had to come back from a goal behind to Nasarawa United to win 2-1. Defenders Promise Ebiaku and Izu Joseph scored in the last 30 minutes to cancel out Abdulrahman Bashir’s 18th minute goal. Even so, 3SC remain in the bottom four with 30 points from 24 matches.

The NPFL table currently sees Wikki Tourists on top with 43 points after 25 games (with a goal difference of 18); Enugu Rangers second with 43 points after 25 games (with a goal difference of 7); Rivers United sit in third place with 41 points after 24 games; and Kano Pillars in fourth place with 39 points after 25 games.

At the rear is Ikorodu United in 19th position with 17 points after 24 games, Heartland standing at 18th position with 29 points after 25 games and Shooting Stars in 17th place with 30 points after 24 matches.

NPFL MATCH DAY 26 RESULTS

Shooting Stars 2-1 Nasarawa Utd

Ikorodu Utd 1-1 FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Kano Pillars 3-0 Lobi Stars

Plateau Utd 1-1 Akwa Utd

Warri Wolves 1-1 Wikki Tourists

Rivers United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes

Enugu Rangers 2-1 Abia Warriors

Heartland 1-0 Enyimba

El-Kanemi 3-1 MFM FC

•Photo shows Ikorodu United players.

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 11, 2016

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