NPFL Matchday 28: Plateau United take advantage of Rivers slip, cut lead to four points

Rivers United recorded a third defeat in their last five outings as Heartland defeated them 2-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. Second-half goals from Sunday Chinedu and Chijioke Mbaoma helped Heartland rise up to 17th in the league standings after their NPFL Matchday 28 encounter, boosting their hopes of survival.

Plateau United took full advantage of Rivers United’s defeat in Owerri by handing out a beating of their own to Wikki Tourist in Jos. The home side won the game 3-1 thanks to a Jesse Akila brace and a goal from Super Eagles invitee Ibrahim Buhari. Wikki Tourist scored once through Ridwan Adeshina in the game. Plateau United are now only four points behind Rivers United with 10 games left in the season.

Kwara United handed out a sound beating in their home game against Shooting Stars. Despite playing behind closed doors due to sanctions against the club, the Afonja Warriors outclassed their opponents from Ibadan by a 3-1 scoreline. Samad Kadiri opened the scoring for Kwara United before Issa Gata and Ayobami Junior added gloss to the scoreline. Opeoluwa Olufemi scored a late consolation goal for the Oluyole Warriors.

Enyimba claimed an important 2-1 win at home to Lobi Stars in their NPFL Matchday 28 encounter in Aba. Samuel Kalu and Samuel Stone got the goals for the People’s Elephant before Samuel Ganda scored a late consolation for Lobi Stars.

MFM FC picked up their first win in six attempts as they defeated fellow strugglers Kano Pillars 2-1 in Ijebu-Ode. Tunde Azeez gave the Church Boys the lead before Jerry Alex equalised for Kano Pillars. Oladayo Alabi had the final say in the encounter for MFM, boosting their hopes of a miraculous survival.

Niger Tornadoes defeated Gombe United 1-0 in their NPFL Matchday 28 encounter in Kaduna. A first-half strike from Munir Idris was enough to give the Ikon Allah Boys maximum points from the clash.

Remo Stars edged Rangers 1-0 in their NPFL Matchday 28 clash in Ikenne, taking the league’s third-place spot as a result. A bullet header from Sikiru Alimi was all the Sky Blue Stars needed to pick up maximum points from the home encounter.

Sunshine Stars and Akwa United played out a goalless draw in the Deji Ayeni Derby in Akure. It was the first meeting of both sides since Ayeni’s appointment as Akwa United coach, and both sides cancelled each other out after 90 minutes of action.

A first-half strike from Adebayo Waheed was enough to give Katsina United a 1-0 win over Nasarawa United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in their NPFL Matchday 28 meeting in Katsina, putting the home side two points clear of the drop zone.