By Diegwu Nwankwor

Plateau United are back to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after edging close rivals, Rivers United 1-0 on Sunday.

The climb to the top is also a fallout of defeats to Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars and failure of Akwa United and Dakkada to secure a win in Nnewi and Bauchi.

The shock result however came out of Lafia where Nasarawa United shook off initial jitters to peg back Abia Warriors.

A full review of all the matches that went down in the NPFL Matchday 18 fixtures across the country

Plateau United 1-0 Rivers United

In what was a hard earned win, Plateau United carried the day over fellow title contenders Rivers United at the New Jos Stadium.

An early goal from Ibrahim Mustapha in the third minute ensured the Jos side returned to the top of the NPFL after a brief spell trailing Lobi Stars on the log.

Wikki Tourists 1-0 Dakkada FC

Dakadda FC missed a chance to get into the top three after being held 1-1 by Wikki Tourists at the Tafawa Belowa Stadium Bauchi.

Jackson Daniel scored for the hosts in the 68th minute while Ajayi Olawafemi equalized in the 87th minute for Dakkada. Dakkada are still 4th on the NPFL table while Wikki are 14th.

Heartland 1-0 Sunshine Stars

Heartland cemented it’s place in the top ten of the NPFL after a hard fought 1-0 win over Sunshine Stars at Okigwe.

An early goal from Abiodun Thompson was defended all through for the Maze Millionaires to win all three points and move up to seventh on the table.

Kano Pillars 2-0 Adamawa United

Kano Pillars extended it’s unbeaten run to 13 matches in the NPFL after a routine 2-0 win over strugglers Adamawa United.

Auwalu Ali Malam gave the Sai Mai Gida the lead in the 41st minute while Achibi Ewenike ensured all three points for Pillars with the second goal in 54th minute.

The win moves Pillars to 8th on the log while Adamawa United are rooted to the bottom of the NPFL.

Nasarawa United 3-1 Abia Warriors

Nasarawa United moved out of the relegation zone after coming from behind to defeat Abia Warriors 3-1 at the Lafia City Stadium.

Emmanuel Ugwuka gave the Warriors the lead in the 3rd minute but Solomon Chidi equalized for Nasarawa United in the 28th minute while Solomon Chidi put them ahead in the 43rd minute.

Katoh Haggai sealed all three points for Nasarawa United when he scored the third goal in the 75th minute.

There were also wins for Kwara United who defeated MFM 1-0 while FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Akwa United played out a goalless draw at Nnewi.

Two matches involving CAF Confederation Cup campaigners, Warri Wolves V Enyimba and Rangers International V Katsina United were put on hold.

MATCHDAY 18 RESULTS

Jigawa GS 1-0 Lobi

FC Ifeanyiubah 0-0 Akwa Utd

Heartland 1-0 Sunshine Stars

Kano Pillars 2-0 Adamawa Utd

Kwara Utd 1-0 MFM

Plateau Utd 1-0 Rivers Utd

Wikki 1-1 Dakkada

Nasarawa Utd 3-1 Abia Warriors