Plateau consolidate NPFL leadership despite home draw

By Gbenga Jolaosho Abuja Th e coast is becoming clearer for Plateau United to lift this year’s Nigeria Professional League, NPFL, as they extended their leadership on the log by a point having played a 1-1 draw at home with Rivers United.

MFM missed the chance to capitalise on Plateau United’s slip up at home as they lost 1-0 away to Abia Warriors, therefore putting their chances of beating the Jos boys to the title in jeopardy.

Th e only goal of the game in Umuahia was scored by Arinze Nwangwu in the 67th minute.

Th e MFM loss means that the Dr.Olukoya’s wards still remain second on 59 points, four points adrift of Plateau United who are on 63.

At the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos, leaders Plateau had to rely on a late goal to force a 1-1 draw against Rivers United.

Emeka Ogbugh put Rivers United 1-0 up in the 14th minute before Peter Eneji salvaged a point for hosts Plateau United with an 89th minute goal.

Plateau United earlier had the chance to draw level on 81 minutes but Emma James missed from the penalty spot.

Despite the setback, Plateau United are still top with two games left to play.

Meanwhile, Enyimba head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has described as a bridge to continental ticket his side massive victory against top-fl ights, Wikki Tourists.

Th e seven-time Nigerian champions walloped the Bauchi Elephants 4-0 in yesterday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 36 clash at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Th e People’s Elephant scored three goals in the fi rst half off the foot of the trio, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Stephen Chukwude and Chinonso Okonkwo while Stanley Dimgba grabbed the winner in the 74th minute to hand the Aba side the whole three points at stake.

Ogunbote said his side achieved their target going into the clash to dislodge Akwa United from the third spot on the league log.

“Yes, today’s (Sunday) massive win against Wikki Tourists is the bridge to the continental ticket and we gave the clash our all thank God we got everything perfectly right.

“Of course, we did well to just get the required number of goals to cancel the defi cit between us and Akwa United.

“I’m happy we achieved the target with the 4-0 win against Wikki Tourists and we will have that at the back of our mind in the remaining two matches to strive to win with wide goal margin,” he said

NPFL week 36 results:

Plateau United 1 vs 1 Rivers United Abia Warriors 1 vs 0 MFM Enyimba 4 vs 0 Wikki Tourists El-Kanemi Warriors 1 vs 1 3SC Remo Stars 1 vs 2 Rangers Nasarawa United 1 vs 0 Kano Pillars Gombe United 2 vs 1 ABS Katsina United 2 vs 0 Sunshine Stars

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