NPFL Week 5 Review: Rabiu Ali’s hat-trick take Pillars to the top, Nasarawa Utd still without a point
It was a high-strung weekend of action in the Nigerian Professional Football League as teams that won at home fought tooth and nail to secure the points, except for El-Kanemi who took apart the champions, Enyimba at home.
A total of four red cards were issued out, 18 goals were scored with Ikorudu United and MFM FC the only tie that didn’t produce a goal.
In the only match fixture on Saturday, Enugu Rangers pipped Wikki Tourists thanks to Aguda’s 45+1 minutes strike.
Rangers and Wikki Tourists who had lost a game each this season by the same scoreline to the same team (Kano Pillars), knew a win for any of the teams will see them go top till Sunday evening, but it was Rangers who took the tie and the maximum points to go top temporarily.
In Kano, at the Sani Abacha stadium, Pillars won the five goal thriller but Mohammed Baba Ganaru will have hat-trick hero Rabiu Ali to thank for securing them the maximum points at home.
Akwa United finished the game with ten men, Ubong Ekpai was giving his marching orders at 67 minutes for card for a second bookable offence.
The victory means Pillars are top of the table.
Enyimba lost on the road to El Kanemi 2-0.
The Lagos derby between Ikorudu United and MFM FC ended in a goaless draw. Bashiru Monsuru’s red card in first half almost took the beauty away from the tie but MFC FC showed no sign of numerical disadvantage and their attitude paid off with a point they secured.
In Owerri, at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Heartland FC secured their first ever win of the new campaign thanks to Omoniwari’s 41 minutes strike.
The defeat means Lobi Stars are fourth on the table with 9 points from 5 games.
#NPFL Match Day 5 results
Rivers Utd 1-0 Nasarawa Utd
Sunshine Stars 1-1 FC Ifeanyiubah
El-Kanemi 2-0 Enyimba
Heartland 1-0 Lobi
Pillars 3-2 Akwa Utd
Plateau Utd 1-1 Abia Warriors
Wolves 1-0 Tornadoes
Shooting Stars 2-1 Giwa FC
Ikorodu Utd 0-0 MFM
Rangers 1-0 Wikki
Match Day 5 Stats
A total of 18 goals were scored, 4 Red cards (Ubong Ekpai of Akwa United, Bashiru Monsuru MFM FC, Obaroakpo Abia Warriors, Aminu Mbai (Giwa FC).
Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars) scored a hat-trick.
Abia keeper Gaadi saved Charles Okafor’s spot kick
