NPFL Matchday 2 Review: Plateau Utd, Tornadoes stay perfect as Rangers lose at home
NPFL champions Plateau United and last year’s Aiteo Cup finalists Niger Tornadoes are now the only teams with 100 per cent record this season after winning their opening two matches.
Plateau United defeated Rivers United 2-0 at the New Jos Stadium while Tornadoes were made to work for the full points before edging past FC Ifeanyiubah 2-1. Both games were played on Wednesday.
It all looked like the Plateau United – Rivers United game was headed into the break stalemate before the Jos club captain Elisha Golbe popped up and curled in a free kick over the wall and beyond goalkeeper Robert Cole on 31 minutes.
One hour into the game, big striker Emeka Umeh doubled the lead for the champions to put the game out of Rivers United’s reach. Plateau United occupy second place behind Tornadoes.
At the Confluence Stadium, Solomon Owello scored on 15 minutes for Tornadoes before Godwin Obaje equalized 19 minutes later for FC Ifeanyiubah.
Uche Onwasanya then fired home the winner four minutes into the restart as Tornadoes clinch their second win in second game.
RANGERS STUMBLE
The story was unsavoury for seven-time champions Rangers as they suffered a second defeat and this time to Lobi Stars in front of their supporters at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. Lobi won 2-1 after going into a two-goal lead through Samad Kadiri and Ayo Saka on 12 and 72 minutes respectively.
The Flying Antelopes then lay siege to Lobi’s goal, pinning them in their half for the last quarter of the game. It paid off but only as a consolation after Chiamaka Madu scored from the spot to reduce the deficit.
ENYIMBA, HEARTLAND IN DERBY STALEMATE
The first Oriental Derby played at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar finished with no goals. Enyimba and Heartland simply cancelled each other out.
Enyimba and Heartland are yet to win any game after two rounds of matches. They have also not lost either.
KWARA UNITED, NASARAWA UNITED WINLESS
Kwara United and Nasarawa United join Rangers as the teams without any win this season so far. MFM FC defeated Kwara United 1-0 in Lagos thanks to Waheed Adebayo’s 50th-minute strike.
Nasarawa United were second best at Kano Pillars and lost two-nil. Junior Lokosa and Alassan Ibrahim scored for Pillars.
GO ROUND GET FIRST TOP-FLIGHT WIN
NPFL newcomers Go Round FC scraped past Akwa United 1-0 at the Krisdera Hotel Stadium in Omoku. The success represents their first win in the top division in their maiden season.
Adeseun Adelani had the honour of scoring the first goal for ‘Dare The Lion.’
One of the promoted sides Yobe Desert Stars also won. They defeated Wikki Tourists 2-0. Ali Aliyu and former Crown FC midfielder Philip Asuquo scored for Yobe Stars.
Sikiru Alimi scored an 81st-minute spot-kick for Sunshine Stars to defeat Katsina United 2-1 after Tasiu Lawal’s goal canceled out an earlier effort by Abiodun Joseph.
Abia Warriors’ poor run of form at El-Kanemi Warriors continued as they lost 1-0. It was their fifth defeat in five visits. This time Bello Kofarmata’s goal in the 41st minute was all El-Kanemi needed to win the contest.
