...As Ayeni First Game In Charge of Akwa United Ends in Draw
The 2021-2022 Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) restarted in the weekend after the mid season break.
The race for the title, continental ticket and fight to avoid preparation intensified on Matchday 20 across various venues in the country.
There was no way win after the end of matchday 20 with just one draw between Akwa United and Rivers United as a total of 15 goals scored.
Read Also:NPFL: Ayeni Confident Of Positive Result Against Rivers United
Here was how things played out:
SUNSHINE STARS 1-0 PLATEAU UNITED
Plateau United’s unbeaten run was halted by Sunshine Stars with a slim 1-0 win.
Plateau United had kept thr pressure on league leaders Rivers United heading to the game.
The Jos-based NPFL club prior to the game had gone 11 games without a lost
However , they could not maintain the streak as a Kolade Adeniji’s 12 minute goal was enough to hand Sunshine Stars a vital points.
Despite the loss, Plateau United remain in second position, two points adrift of leaders Rivers United.
LOBI STARS 2-0 ENUGU RANGERS
Lobi Stars bounced back to winning ways after the break as they defeated visiting Enugu Rangers 2-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium in Markudi.
The former NPFL champions had not won any game since February as goals from Raphael Ayagwa and Godfrey Utim returned the team to winning ways.
ENYIMBA 2-0 WIKKI TOURISTS
Enyimva claimed an impressive home victory as they defeated Wikki Tourists at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
Enyimba prior to the game had never won a league game by more than tow goals since Finidi George took over.
Victor Mbaoma continued his impressive performance as he scored the second goal of the game after Abel James gave the hosts the lead.
MFM FC 1-0 HEARTLAND FC
MFM FC moved away from bottom of the NPFL table following a 1-0 victory against visiting Heartland FC at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The Olukoya Boys finished the first stanza of the 2021-2022 NPFL season at the bottom but thanks to a 33rd minute goal from Micah Ojodomo’s goal that saw them moved to 19th place .
KWARA UNITED 2-1 REMO STARS
Remo Stars failed to start the second stanza of the league on a winning note like they did when the league started.
The Sky Blues threw away their lead as Kwara United came from behind to snatch the three points.
Haruna Hadi gave Remo Stars the lead in the 33rd minute before Stephen Jude leveled for the Afonja Warriors with two minutes to the end of first half.
Samad Kadiri dealt a blow to Gbenga Ogunbote and his lads as his 74th minute goal handed the Afonja Warriors the maximum points.
In other games played, Ayodeji Ayeni first game in charge of reigning champions Akwa United ended in a 1-1 draw against Rivers United.
Gombe United defeated visiting Kano Pillars by a lone goal at the Pantami Stadium while Nasarawa United sent Shooting Stars back to Ibadan empty handed following a 2-0 win .
NPFL MATCHDAY 20 FULL RESULTS
MFM 1-0 Heartland
Kwara Utd 2-1 Remo Stars
Tornadoes 1-0 Dakkada
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Plateau Utd
Enyimba 2-0 Wikki
Lobi 2-0 Rangers
Gombe Utd 1-0 Kano Pillars
Nasarawa Utd 2-0 3SC
Akwa United 1-Rivers United