Lobi Stars Remains Top Of The League, Kano Pillar Records Massive Win

Matches for week 15 of the Nigerian Premier League took place on Wednesday, we had 4 home wins and 2 draws with no away win recorded. League leaders Lobi Stars are still 3 points clear of their closest rival at the top of the log with 27 points after they got a valuable away point at Umuahia against Abia Warriors.

Here is a round-up of all the week 15 matches of the Nigerian Premier League:

Abia Warriors Vs Lobi Stars: Abia Warriors playing at the Umuahia Township stadium started the match like a house on fire and took the lead in the first minute of the encounter through Ndifreke Effiong Udo who scored his sixth goal of the campaign, all subsequent effort to double the before the half-time whistle were futile as the match remained 1-0 at the break.

In the second stanza, Lobi Stars’ Kingsley Gbeneme was shown a straight red card in the 58th minute for a dangerous tackle, but Abia Warriors could not capitalise on the one-man advantage as they allowed Lobi Stars to claw themselves back into the match through an equaliser by Umar Zango in the 68th minute. That was how the match ended as the home team failed to take advantage of the numerous chances they created.

You May Also Read: Nigerian Premier League Week 14 Round-Up: Lobi Stars Remains Top As Plateau United And El Kanemi Warriors Are Thrashed

Enugu Rangers Vs Yobe Desert Stars: At the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, fourth-placed Enugu Rangers claimed a comprehensive 3-0 win over visiting Yobe Desert Stars. Nigeria’s music superstar and fans favourite Flavour was among the cheering crowd for Enugu Rangers.

The flying Antelopes were two goals to the good in the first half through a brace scored by Ajani Ibrahim in the 24th and 44th minute respectively. In the second half, Rangers were unrelenting as they piled pressure at the visitor’s vital area, their persistence paid off in the 87th minute as Bright Silas completed the rout by scoring the third goal. The win moved Rangers into the fourth position with 22 points from 14 matches and a game in hand.

Kano Pillars Vs Ifeanyi Ubah United: In Kano, red-hot Junior Lokosa scored a brace to increase his tally to fourteen goals in the current campaign, he scored the first goal through a penalty in the 61st minute and added his second three minutes later in the 65th minute.

Pillars were not yet done as they added two more goals in the final 10 minutes of the match through Nyima Nwangwa in the 82nd minute and Awalu Ali in the 86th minute to complete the thrashing of the boys from Nnewi.

The win was the sixth of the season for Kano Pillars and it moved them into second place on the log with 24 points from 15 matches, pending when Akwa United that is on continental assignment plays their outstanding matches.

Nasarawa United Vs Katsina United: It was the battle of the United in Lafia as Nasarawa United welcomed Katsina United to the Lafia Township stadium. The home team confirmed that they meant business by taking the lead in the 11th minute through Najeem Olaitan Olukokunna but Katsina United fought back and got an equaliser in the 24th through an own goal scored by Shittu Abdulbasit.

The home side restored their lead just before the break in the 42nd minute through Najeem Olaitan Olukokunna who got on the scoresheet for the second time in the match. The second half could not produce any goal as the visiting team held their ground despite sustained pressure from Nasarawa United to increase their lead.

You May Also Read: CAF Confederation Cup Draw: Nigerian Clubs Faces Tough Hurdle To Reach Group Stages

Rivers United Vs Heartland FC: In Port Harcourt, the pride of Rivers hosted the newly promoted Heartland of Owerri. The first half was a pretty dull affair as Rivers United failed to break down the defensive wall put up by the Boys from Owerri. The situation changed in the second period as Emeka Ogbugh gave Rivers United a well-deserved lead in the 50th minute.

Rivers United then doubled their lead in the 69th minute through Roland Koffi. The game didn’t register further goals as it ended 2-0 in favour of Rivers United giving them their 6th win of the season and the win pushed Rivers United to the tenth position on the league table.

Sunshine Stars Vs Kwara United: It was a thrilling match at the Akure Township stadium as Sunshine Stars were forced to a 2-2 draw by visiting Kwara United. The Afonja Warriors made their intentions known to their host by going into the lead in the 20th minute through Stephen Alfred.

Sunshine Stars finally woke up from their slumber by drawing level in the 38th minute through Sunday Emmanuel, the first period ended 1-1 as both teams could add to their tally. At the resumption of the second period, the sustained pressure by Sunshine Stars paid off handsomely as they went into the lead for the first time in the match through a well-taken second goal scored by Sunday Emmanuel in the 61st minute.

You May Also Read: Nigerian Premier League: Anthony Okpotu Catches The Eyes Of Three Top Danish Clubs

The lead of Sunshine Stars was short-lived ten minutes later when Sunday Odudu found the net for the visiting team in the 71st minute. The game ended 2-2 as both teams shared the spoils in Akure. This is Kwara United’s second away point of the season and they remain rooted to the bottom of the league table with a paltry 15 points from 14 matches.

Week 15 Nigerian Premier League result

The next round of matches for Week 16 of the Nigerian Premier league comes up on the 8th of April, 2018. The round of 15 matches involving Plateau United, Akwa United, MFM FC and Enyimba FC of Aba was postponed due to continental engagement.