Three MatchDay 12 matches were decided on Saturday with Rivers United returning to the summit of the NPFL log with a convincing win against visiting Wikki Tourists in Port Harcourt.
But it was eight-time champions Enyimba International that dropped points at home as they were held to a score draw in Aba. At the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina United edged Kwara United.
Results from the fixtures have seen a change in the leadership of the table, while Enyimba failed to take advantage of their MatchDay 11 triumph away at Sunshine Stars to close in on Rivers United and Remo Stars.
How Rivers Trounced Wikki
Former Lobi Stars defender Ebube Duru opened the scoring for the Port Harcourt side in the 37th minute via a penalty, before Chijioke Akuneto doubled the advantage for the Pride of Rivers on 53 minutes.
Three minutes afterward, Uche Onwuasonaya volleyed home the third, following a swift cross from Ebube Duru.
Rivers thought they had a fourth inside stoppage time when Fortune Omoniwari turned in Kazie Enyinnaya through ball, but the former Akwa United striker was adjudged to have emerged from an offside position.
READ ALSO:
Rivers United, Remo Stars stake unbeaten runs in MatchDay 9
Enyimba held by Tornadoes
Niger Tornadoes of Minna shocked fans at the Aba Township Stadium when they drew first blood in the 39th minute. Kabiru Adeniji’s deflected strike waved past Olorunleke for the bottom corner.
Enyimba had to rely on a penalty converted by Austin Oladapo to level terms moments before the break. The Elephants saw out the second half with ten men following the sending off of Samuel Kalu for a second bookable offence.
The result pegs the Peoples Elephants five points adrift of Rivers United in fourth place going into the remaining fixtures on Sunday.
Katsina lucky at home
Katsina United grinded out a hard-fought lone goal victory against Kwara United to move to 17th position on the log. Nafiu Ibrahim sealed the win for the ‘Chanji Boys’ in the 65th minute for their fourth win of the campaign.
Sunday Schedules
There could be changes at the top of the log if Remo Stars secure a win away at Gombe United, while Plateau United could move to second spot with a win in the Northern derby against Kano Pillars in Kaduna.
Not much will likely change in the lower ebb, except for Dakkada FC, who could move out of the relegation zone if they secure a win away to Shooting Stars in Ibadan.
A mouth-watering Oriental derby awaits fans in Nnewi as Rangers International host Abia Warriors.
The Remaining Matchday 12 Fixtures:
Lobi Stars v MFM
Akwa Utd v Heartland
Gombe Utd v Remo Stars
Shooting Stars v Dakkada
Kano Pillars v Plateau Utd
Rangers v Abia Warriors
Nasarawa Utd v Sunshine Stars
