By Daily Sports on March 2, 2017

 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leaders Plateau United failed to hold on to their two-point lead when they played out a 0-0 draw at home to Lobi Stars on Wednesday.

Plateau United’s slip allowed second-placed El-Kanemi to narrow their lead to just goals difference as the Maiduguri club despatched Sunshine Stars 3-1.

After cruising almost effortlessly in the first quarter of the season, the purple patch of Kennedy Boboye and his Plateau United appear to have hit a brick wall.

The Jos club were tipped to claim a win over Lobi Stars despite the hoodoo of collapsing in the second quarter of the season hanging over their head coach Boboye, who has in the past enjoyed a barnstorming start at Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors only to miss out on the big prize or top-three positions.

Five minutes of added time in the second half was not even enough for Boboye’s men to nick the odd goal over Lobi, which meant they took their points to 21.

El-Kanemi’s win look flattering but Sunshine Stars did make them work as the score was 1-1 at half time after Yahuza Bala cancelled out Samuel Mathias’ goal for the Maiduguri club.

Mathias even missed a stoppage-time penalty in the first half.

In the second 45 minutes, Bello Kofarmata converted from the spot just after the hour mark to restore El-Kanemi’s lead before Mathias wrapped up things with nine minutes to time by making amends for his earlier miss from the spot.

El-Kanemi are now tied on 21 points with Plateau United but have an inferior goal difference to the league leaders.

Third-placed ABS FC suffered their third defeat of the season. They lost 0-1 at champions Enugu Rangers after Daniel Etor scored in the first half.

MFM FC, without two of their influential players Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun, were seconds away from earning a point at Katsina United until Martins Usule popped up to nod in the winner to give the hosts a 2-1 win.

Chinedu Udechukwu had opened the scoring for Katsina United in the 14th minute before Austine Ogunye levelled matters on 63 minutes.

Wikki Tourists and Rivers United fired blanks at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi. But the talking point in the 0-0 draw was when referee Aliyu Abdullahi erroneously flashed his red card at Rivers United’s Bolaji Sakin for a foul on Omo Johnson on 21 minutes. He quickly made amends by producing a yellow card.

Former champions Enyimba played a 0-0 draw with 3SC who have avoided defeat for the first time in 10 league matches in this fixture.

Rabiu Ali’s strike four minutes from time denied Remo Stars from taking the full points in a 1-1 draw. Victor Mbaoma scored his sixth goal of the season for Remo Stars in the NPFL.

Austine Oladapo and Samuel Agba scored for Gombe United as they defeated FC Ifeanyiubah 2-0 at the Pantami Stadium.

Abia Warriors finally got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes. Anthony Okemmiri scored what turned out to be the winner from a rebound after Tornadoes goalkeeper Mustapha Aliko saved a 16th-minute spot kick by Godwin Zaki.

Nasarawa United will play hosts to Akwa United to round off Matchday 11 of the NPFL.

•Sourced from supersport.com. Photo shows El-Kanemi Warriors line-up.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 2, 2017

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