NPFL Week24: Enyimba Thrash Kano Pillars, Akwa United Demolish Nasarawa United, MFM Lose In Lagos
By Amaechi Agbo
It was an evening of heavy victories and embarrassing defeats for Enyimba FC and Akwa United as they recorded the most scoreline victories in the 2022 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL matchday 24 concluded on Thursday, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.
Playing at the Enyimba International Stadium Aba, the People’s Elephant handed visiting hapless Kano Pillars 4-0 defeat.
Two goals from Victor Mboma in the 31st and 63rd minutes as well as Emeka Obioma’s 74th and Godwin Emmanuel’s 90th minutes goals handed the Aba boys the comfortable victory.
While the win pushes Enyimba to their top 3 target on 8th position, the defeat lands Kano Pillars into the relegation mud placed 19th with 23 points. Sadly, they have not been able to measure up to a point per game as they are one point below the number of matches played.
In Uyo, Coach Bala Nkiyu would need to reassess his Nasarawa United squad after they suffered a 6-1 demolition in the hands of defending champions, Akwa United.
It is the heaviest defeat the Solid Miners have suffered in the league in recent times leaving the technical crew in dismay.
Akwa United made intent of their great day in the rout against the Lafia City based club with Ubong Friday’s 9th minute opener when goalkeeper Danlami spilled Bello Babatunde’s 25-yard free kick but Friday scored from the rebound.
Eight minutes later, Adam Yakubu made it 2-0 for the champions with Bello Babtunde providing the assist.
Fernando Wisdom compounded Nasarawa United ‘s woes with two quick goals in 22nd and 28th minutes to ensure that the Promise Keepers went into the interval in cruise control.
On restart, Nasarawa United got a glimpse of hope as King Osanga reduced the deficit in the 54th minute but they got punished more with two additional goals from Babatunde Bello who responded in three minutes to restore the 4-0 margin before Franklin Matib put the game beyond any revival for the visitor with a 79-minute stroke.
Matib got a share of the pie, finishing off Leo Ezekiel’s through-ball.
The result leaves Akwa United on 6th position with 36 points while Nasarawa United who lost 3-1 against Gombe United in their previous away match, will have to ask themselves questions as they are now 5 points above the relegation drop.
In other matches on Thursday, Chukwudi Nwaodu’s curler from about 22 yards away handed them a massive 1-0 win at home against visiting Plateau United.
League leaders, Rivers United maintained their 4 points gap on the log despite suffering a one-nil defeat in Akure against Sunshine Stars.
MFM seem to have found comfort in their 20th position on the log after they suffered a 2-0 crushing home defeat against visiting Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in Lagos
Thursday Full Results
Enyimba 4-0 Kano Pillars
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Rivers Utd
MFM 0-2 Wikki
Heartland 1-0 Plateau Utd
Akwa Utd 6-1 Nasarawa Utd