|
Junior Lokosa's 17th and 18th league goals of a sensational full debut season led Kano Pillars to a thrilling 3-1 home win against Katsina United in a North West derby in Kano. Lokosa opened and completed scoring for Pillars, to move 10 goals clear of his nearest challengers on the scorers chart, while Nyima Nwagua chipped in with a headed goal either side of his strike partners brace. Destiny Ashadi pulled one back for the visitors in the 57th minute, ensuring the reverse fixture equally produced a four-goal thriller. The win takes Pillars to within two points of leaders Lobi Stars, while Katsina's road struggles sees them drop out of the top four. Abia Warriors pilled further pressure on a struggling MFM FC, beating their hosts 1-0 in Lagos on Sunday to move into the top half of the log. Ndifreke Effiong produced a poachers finish in the 52nd minute, condemning MFM to their first league home loss since July 2016, as they get further dragged in the murky relegation battle, four points above the drop. Nasarawa United continue to be deserted by luck on their road travels this season, as a 2-1 loss at Plateau United condemned them to an 11th away defeat. Bature Yaro put the champions in the lead from the spot, only for Nojeem Olukokun to brilliantly respond with a headed goal for Nasarawa in the 50th minute. Reuben Bala sealed the win for third-place Plateau with a 20-yard canon, leaving Nasarawa two points above the bottom four. Two goals within the space of 10 first-half minutes from Sikiru Alimi and Frank Sasere handed Sunshine Stars a relegation lifeline, as they secured a valuable 2-1 home win against Heartland. Michael Ohanu's goal from the spot on the dot of regulation time secured a 1-1 result for strugglers El Kanemi Warriors at home to Rivers United, who had led for 45 minutes following Aghahowa Otakho's own goal. Kwara United forced Niger Tornadoes to a 1-1 result in Minna, but a seventh draw in 11 games did little in aiding the survival battle of the Harmony Boys who remain 19th on the log. Despite going ahead through Segun Alebiosu's 25th minute strike, Kwara for the umpteenth time failed to hold on to the lead and were pegged back through Eric Frimpong's strike. In other results, Enugu Rangers sealed a 0-0 home draw against Akwa United, an outcome which sees both teams sixth and seventh on the table. Philip Auta's 87th-minute leveller from a goalmouth scramble for Yobe Desert Stars secured a point at home to FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Seka Pascal's majestic lob failing to secure a first away victory of the campaign.
|
