2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League [NPFL] Week 22 Results & Reviews

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Rivers United 4-1 MFM FC

Rivers United have climbed into second place in the top flight table with a 4-1 victory over MFM FC.

The highlight of the match was Guy Kuemian’s superb brace at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium on Sunday.

Fidelis Ikechukwu’s wards took the lead in the 29th minute courtesy of Austine Ogunye, however the lead didn’t last long with Kuemian leveling matters two minutes later.

In-form Bernard Ovoke was at the right place to head the ball beyond Abayomi Folarin to put Rivers United in the lead for the first time in the match.

It was Kuemian that proved to be MFM’s undoing in the 66th minute, as this time he bundled home from close range to make it 3-1.

Hardworking Yusuf Jayeiola struck to put the game beyond the youthful Lagos based outfit.

Victory takes Rivers United to second on the ladder with 38 points from 21 games.

El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 Abia Warriors

There was no surprise in Maiduguri as El-Kanemi Warriors easily dispatched Abia Warriors 2-0 on Saturday.

Ibrahim Mustapha had the game’s first chance with a left-foot shot that drifted wide, before Kingsley Wei then had a similar effort for the home side.

However, it was Chinedu Ohanachom who came closest as he fired over from inside the box.

With seven minutes left in the first half, Wei opened the scoring for the home side as he tapped in.

Abia Warriors had a few half-chances but soon found themselves 2-0 down. This time Hussain Bata found the bottom corner with a well struck shot.

Both Mustapha Ibrahim and Bata had further chances to increase the lead, but they were unable to find the target.

Heartland FC 0-0 Wikki Tourists

Heartland FC were held to a 0-0 draw at the Dan Anyiam Stadium thanks to some resolute defending by leaders Wikki Tourists and goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu in breathtaking form.

Alphonsus Dike and Abdul Maikaba both fielded strong sides in the clash in Owerri.

However, despite the Naze Millionaires controlling proceedings, they were met by a well-drilled Wikki Tourists defence and goalkeeper Nwabulu in fine form.

Okpoveta Ojevwe and Roland Koffi were both denied in the first half by the keeper before Anthony Oussou saw an expertly drive turned over the post.

Emeka Ogbugh was denied from distance as Heartland, largely camped in the Wikki half, battled to break the deadlock.

Nwabulu then denied Ogbugh again from close range just after the break before Julius Ubido’s effort was deflected past the far post as Heartland continued to invite pressure from the home side.

The goalkeeper parried Arinze Nwangwu’s effort to the path of Chinedu Efugh who could only rebound to the crossbar.

The host had a penalty appeal ignored by the referee in the 83rd minute when a Wikki Tourists defender looked to have handled the ball in the box.

Heartland continued to push late on, but the determined league leaders held on to the priceless point away from home.

Kano Pillars 2-2 Warri Wolves

Warri Wolves held Kano Pillars to a 2-2 drawn game on Sunday afternoon.

Rabiu Ali drew the first blood for Masu Gida with a smart effort from the penalty spot in the 26th minute but the Seasiders pulled even one minute into the second half with striker ShedrackOghu cancelling out the hosts.

Gambo Mohammed connected an inch-perfect pass from Emmanuel Edmund to restore the lead for the former NPFL champions.

However, their lead could not last as the away team levelled once more. Oghu scoring for Wolves nine minutes from time.

Sunshine Stars 1-0 Lobi Stars

Sunshine Stars returned to winning ways on Sunday after scoring a late goal to defeat Lobi Stars 1-0 in Akure to maintain their push for the top in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Okiki Afolabi produced the match winner from the penalty spot in the 88th minute to save the Owena Waves from yet another draw after their last two games ended in stalemate.

Lobi Stars lacked precision in the match and also had goalkeeper Okiemute Odah to thank as he made some crucial saves to prevent Sunshine Stars from scoring.

The victory pushed Sunshine Stars to fifth position, while Lobi Stars are sixth in the table.

Ikorodu United 1-1 Akwa United

Akwa United were held to a pulsating 1-1 draw game by Ikorodu United on match day 22 of the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League at the Onikan Stadium.

The result means that the Oga Boys have gone four games without a win in the top flight.

The sweet passing movement and the inter-positional play was the order of the day as Ikorodu United dominated the visitors in the first half of the game.

The Lagos-based club tormented the away side as the Promise Keepers’ only option was to park the bus.

Ikorodu, however, were made to pay for their profligacy in the 50th minute as their former skipper Cyril Olisema pulled off a sweet lob to register the first goal for the away side.

They improved their performance as they piled pressure on Akwa United in search of the equaliser but the away lads never gave up as they were resolute at the back.

The Oga Boys kept on probing for the leveller and they had it in the 78th minute. Okoyoh Michael sent a rebound beyond goalkeeper Victor Obiowo after Paul Duke’s effort struck the cross bar.

Sam Okpodu’s wards mounted more pressure on the Promise Keepers but the only way for the away side to escape the wrath of the Lagos side was to apply the time wasting strategy which paid off.

Nasarawa United 4-2 FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Esosa Igbinoba bagged a brace as Nasarawa United put FC Ifeanyi Ubah to the sword in a 4-2 victory on Sunday, with the six-goal thriller produced two red cards.

Igbinoba opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 17th minute and doubled the lead with another spot kick.

An own goal from Samson Gbadebo sparked hope a revival for the Anambra Warriors.

Abdulrahman Bashir restored the Solid Miners’ two-goal advantage on the hour.

However, Cyril Edum’s red card just after the hour halted the away side’s faint hopes of a comeback.

Former Shooting Stars forward Tayo Fabiyi also got his name on the score-sheet when he made it 4-1.

The talented striker was then sent off for taking off his shirt while celebrating his goal, before Okereke Maduabuchi scored for the visitors with 11 minutes left in the match.

Plateau United 2-0 Enugu Rangers

Plateau United ended a run of eight matches without a win in the NPFL by defeating Enugu Rangers 2-0 in their clash at the Rwang Pam Stadium.

The Jos-based outfit went in front in the 51st minute through former Ajax Cape Town winger Joshua Obaje.

Imama Amakpakabo’s pushed forward in a desperate attempt to salvage a point, but they were left open at the back and the home side secured the three points thanks to Kelechi John’s effort.

Elkanemi Warriors 2-0 Abia Warriors
Kano Pillars 2-2 Warri Wolves
Heartland FC 0-0 Wikki Tourists
Rivers United 4-1 MFM FC
Shooting Stars 1-0 Enyimba FC
Nasarawa United 4-2 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Plateau United 2-0 Enugu Rangers
Ikorodu United 1-1 Akwa United
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Lobi Stars

Source: Goal.com

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