NPFL Matchday 5: Akwa United dethrone Plateau United as league leaders

Rivers United 1-1 Enyimba

Rivers United forced 10-man Enyimba to a 1-1 in Sunday's cagey Nigeria Professional Football League encounter at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.

Stanley Eguma's men were hoping to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Sunshine Stars last Wednesday to boost their chase for NPFL glory against the People's Elephant.

Stanley Dimgba struck from the spot on the brink of half-time to hand Enyimba the lead.

However, Daniel Isreal's header leveled matter for the Pride of Rivers in the 76th minute as both sides managed to share the spoils despite the visitors ending the encounter with 10-man.

The draw saw Rivers moved to the 11th position on the log with seven points, while Enyimba sit in 15th spot after picking six points from five games.

El Kanemi Warriors 0-0 Kano Pillars

At the Maiduguri Stadium, Kano Pillars played out a 0-0 draw against El Kanemi Warriors in an all northern encounter.

Ebuka Anaekwe's effort was the desperate Borno Army's best chance of the encounter as his strike was stopped by the woodwork on the hour mark. 

The draw sees visitors Kano Pillars pick their first away point this season, while El Kanemi recorded their first draw of the season at home.

Abia Warriors 0-0 Sunshine Stars

Abia Warriors were held to a 0-0 home draw by Sunshine Stars in a pulsating Nigeria topflight contest.

Goalkeeper Moses Ocheije was the hero as his impressive saves for the Owena Whales ensured they stayed unbeaten in last six consecutive visits to Umuahia.

The draw was Sunshine second away from home this season as Duke Udi's men rose to sixth place on the league log with eight points.

Hosts, Abia Warriors dropped to the eighth spot with seven points from five matches so far.

Katsina United 3-0 Go Round

Katsina United returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-0 win against Go Round in a league encounter at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium.

Katsina had fallen 1-0 to Enugu Rangers last Wednesday and they were desperate to keep their home winning record intact against the Omoku based boys.

Eric Dufegha opened the scoring for the hosts as he headed past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in the fourth minute of the first half. 

Joshua Agboola extended the hosts lead in the 21st minute thanks to Tasiu Lawal's brilliant pass.

In the 88th minute, Martin Usule found a space inside the Go Round's box and he tapped in a sweet pass for Katsina third goal of the encounter.

Akwa United 3-0 Kwara United

Akwa United secured an impressive 3-0 home win as they defeated NPFL returnee Kwara United at the Godswill Apkabio Stadium to move to the summit of the league.

Michael Ibe, Victor Mbaoma and Ubong Friday were on target as the Promise Keepers earned their fourth win of the season in five games on Sunday.

Having earned their first away win ever against Niger Tornadoes in Lokoja, Abdu Miakaba's men built on their success on the road against the Harmony Warriors in Uyo.

Ibe gave Akwa the lead as he perfectly buried a wonderful through ball from Friday in the 16th minute before Mbaoma doubled from the lead in the 21st minute.

In the 56th minute, Friday increased the tally to three as his side claimed maximum points to rise to the summit of the Nigeria Professional League log.

The defeat sees Kwara United remain bottom of the league log with three points in five games, while Akwa go top with 12 points from possible 30.

Wikki Tourists 1-0 Ifeanyi Ubah

Having bowed to Kwara United in Ilorin on Wednesday, Wikki Tourists secured a 1-0 victory over Ifeanyi Ubah at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium.

Ifeanyi Ubah crumbled against MFM at Agege Stadium last Wednesday but they were hoping to climb into the top five places in the NPFL standings.

Chinedu Onyelonu played Nafiu Kabuga through as the latter squeezed in the opener in the 31st minute that finally turned a major difference between both sides in Bauchi.

The victory moved Wikki to the fourth position with nine points from five matches, while Ifeanyi Ubah dropped to 13th place with six points so far.

Lobi Stars 3-1 Niger Tornadoes

Lobi Stars defeated Niger Tornadoes 3-1 to bounce back to winning ways at the Aper Aku Stadium.

The Pride of Benue had suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of NPFL newcomers Yobe Desert Stars last Wednesday and were aiming for triumph again at home.

Ezekiel Mba gave Lobi the all-important lead in the 13th minute of the game but Ibrahim Babawo beat his markers to fire home the equaliser 10 minutes later.

Red-hot Samad Kadiri restored the hosts' one-goal lead with his audacious lob after Cletus Itofodo set him up to score in the 35th minute.

In the 71st minute, Kadiri got his second of the match for Lobi as he ensured the Markudi based outfit wrapped up the victory.

Heartland 1-1 Yobe Desert Stars

Yobe Desert Stars put up brave display to earn the share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Heartland at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

The Naze Millionaires had snatched a point against Go Round last Wednesday, while the Damaturu based side subdued highflying Lobi Stars in Yobe.

It was Chinedu Ohanacham who handed the visitors the lead in the fifth minute but Mohammed Azeez scored in the 33rd minute to restore the pride of the Owerri based outfit.

The draw is the fourth this season for Heartland as their search for the first league win continues, while new NPFL boys Yobe Desert picked their first point away this season.

Plateau United 1-0 MFM

Champions Plateau United maintained their impressive start to its title defense with a narrow 1-0 win over MFM at the Jos New International Stadium on Saturday.

Both teams had gone head-to-head until the final day of the season in the race for the league diadem but it was the Peace Boys that eventually claimed the glory.

This time, Tosin Omoyele's well-taken effort in the second minute of the first half turned out the match winner for the Peace Boys in the tension-soaked tie.

It is now the fourth win in a row for Plateau United in five games, while the Olukoya Boys have now suffered their third defeat this season.