NPFL: Enyimba halt Abia Warriors’ winning streak as Rivers United close gap on Remo Stars
Enyimba of Aba, yesterday, came from behind to beat Abia Warriors 2-1 to halt the Umuahia team’s three-game unbeaten run ion the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).
The Warriors had gone ahead against their more illustrious Oriental brothers but failed to hold on to their lead as two goals from former Warriors captain, Kalu Nweke and Joseph Atule in either half cancelled out Anthony Ijioma’s goal to secure the three points at stake for the hosts.
Abia Warriors’ Manager, Imama Amapakabo, made one change to the side that defeated Lobi Stars in their previous encounter with Emmanuel Ogbuagu returning to the starting 11 after serving his suspension.
The Warriors went into the lead in the 21st minute when Sunday Megwo escaped his marker and delivered a cheeky cross that Ijioma headed home for his ninth league goal of the season.
But Nweke brought the sides level with a curved in the 35th minute that ended the first half all square.
The second half saw the Warriors dominate play, but against the run of play they went behind when Enyimba’s talisman, Atule, scored with a bullet of a shot to give the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 66th minute.
Enyimba will travel to Ijebu Ode to meet Sunshine Stars in a matchday 33 this weekend, while Abia Warriors will be at home to Rivers United in Umuahia.
Rivers United, yesterday, defeated league leaders, Remo Stars, 1-0, to close the gap established by the Ikenne-based bet9ja boys.
Boluwaji Sholumade’s lone strike gave the day to Rivers United.
Fourth-placed Shooting Stars failed to grab the opportunity of overtaking Abia Warriors in the third position when they were held to a goalless draw by Ikorodu United in Ibadan.
In other games of the weekend, bottom-placed Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars settled for a 1-1 draw, just as Plateau United were also held to a goalless draw by Kwara United, while Niger Tornadoes beat El Kanemi Warriors 2-0.
Nasarawa United were 2-0 better than Akwa United, but Katsina United could only manage a 1-1 draw with Bayelsa United.
