2021/22 NPFL Matchday Eight Recap: Rivers United go top as Enyimba fails to defeat Lobi Stars

Action from matchday eight of the 2021/22 NPFL season continued in various match centres across Nigeria, with Rivers United and newly-promoted Remo Stars maintaining their lead atop the standings.

Rivers United welcomed Heartland to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium where they picked up a 3-1 win over the Naze Millionaires. Morice Chukwu fired home a freekick inside six minutes to open the scoring for the home side before Chijioke Akuneto doubled their advantage after latching onto a brilliant through ball by the in-form Ishaq Kayode Rafiu in the 12th minute. Rafiu added his name to the scoresheet with his 7th goal of the season from close range in the 51st minute. Heartland pulled one back through Chukwudi Nwaodu in the second half.

Rivers United have now climbed to the summit of the 2021/22 NPFL standings with 18 points after eight matches this season.

Elsewhere in Nnewi, Rangers hosted the high-flying Remo Stars at their adopted home, the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium. Both sides were unable to find the net in the clash and had to settle for a point apiece, keeping them in second and third place on the standings after matchday eight of the 2021/22 NPFL season.

There was drama in Ibadan as Shooting Stars defeated the visiting Kwara United 2-1 with an impressive comeback. The Afonja Warriors took the lead in the 60th minute through Alao Danbani, before former Sunshine Stars youngster Ayo Adejubu equalised for the Owena Whales in the 78th minute. Former MFM striker Ebenezer Odeyemi scored the winner for 3SC in the 96th minute to send the fans inside the Lekan Salami Stadium into a frenzy. The result took the Ibadan-based side out of the relegation zone.

At the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, AbdulAzeez Yusuf’s 11th minute strike was enough to give the home side all three points from the game. Gombe United defeated Niger Tornadoes 1-0 in the game.

In Lafia, Shammasu Mohammed scored the matchwinner in the 93rd minute as Nasarawa United picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Katsina United at the Lafia Township Stadium.

Yusuf Bala Maigoro scored the game’s only goal in the 43rd minute as Kano Pillars defeated the struggling MFM at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, sending the Olukoya Boys to the bottom of the standing.

Wikki Tourist defeated Plateau United 2-1 in Bauchi. Salisu Adamu scored an own goal in the 21st minute to put Plateau United 1-0 up. Fuad Ekelojuoti and Anas Yusuf managed to complete the comeback and secure the points.

Abia Warriors and Dakkada played out a 1-1 draw at the Okigwe Township Stadium. Yusuf Yusuf opened the scoring for Dakkada in the 67th minute before Godwin Obaje equalised from the penalty spot for the Umuahia Landlords seven minutes later.

Akwa United were held to a goalless draw by Sunshine Stars at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.

Lobi Stars defeated Enyimba 1-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi. The lone goal in the match was scored by former Enyimba player Onuwa Chukwuka. It was his first goal of the 2021/22 NPFL season and indeed his first in about two years.

In the rescheduled Matchday six fixture of the 2021/22 NPFL season between Enyimba and Akwa United, the People’s Elephant defeated the Champions 1-0 at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba. A first half strike from striker Tosin Omoyele was enough for Enyimba to pick up all three points and move back into the league’s top five.