Elkanemi Warriors and Shooting Stars were the biggest winners on match day 12 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2022/23 season played across different centres this weekend, www.aclsports.com reports.
Bottom-placed Warriors were guests of Nasarawa United on Saturday and needed a win to brighten their chances of beating the drop and they got off to a fine start when Ugochukwu Ujah handed them the lead before the half-hour mark.
But ten minutes later, the home side were back in the game courtesy James Isaac’s converted spotkick. In the dying moments of the game, Hamza Abara’s return to Jos was made perfect when Jacob Jonathan struck home the winner. The home loss eventually cost coach Bala Nikyu his job and Abubakar Arikya has been placed in charge until the end of the season.
On Sunday, Shooting Stars put up a fine performance to beat Kwara United at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure. Striker Sikiru Alimi missed a penalty late on but substitute Joshua Akpan spared his blushes with a fine winner in stoppage time.
In the top-of-the-table clash between Akwa United and Enyimba in Uyo, Uche Collins scored the only goal to help the Promise Keepers secure a win and that puts them firmly in second place.
Group A leaders Bendel Insurance extended their unbeaten start to the season to 12 games after playing another 1-1 draw with Plateau United in Jos. Izuchukwu Chimezie handed the home side the lead before Deputy Echeta equalised in the second half to keep the Benin Arsenals’ run going.
Meanwhile, the final game between Remo Stars and Gombe United, which was still goalless at the break, was abandoned.
GROUP B
Wikki Tourists returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over relegation-bound Dakkada in Bauchi. Amah Chibundu scored either side of Salisu Ibrahim Magaji’s goal, while Jonathan Prosper scored for the Akwa Ibom side.
In Awka, Enugu Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Lobi Stars. Former striker Elijah Ani gave the Makurdi side the lead at the hour mark before Godwin Obaje scored the leveller for the home side in the 72nd minute.
Doma United continued their unbeaten start to the second stanza with a 2-1 win over Niger Tornadoes in Gombe. Usman Musa scored the game’s opening goal in the 29th minute, before Mark Daniel equalised for the visitors. However, Charles Chibuike went ahead to secure the win for the home side in the 77th minute.
In Yenagoa, Bayelsa United breezed past Abia Warriors in stunning fashion to return to winning ways. Mizo Robert, Alex Jerry, Alex Oyowah(brace) and Stephen Wisdom scored for the Restoration boys, while the Warriors could only manage a consolation – all in the first half blitz. Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro was among the spectators for this one.
Match Day 12 Results
Kwara Utd 0-1 Shooting Stars
Plateau Utd 1-1 Bendel Insurance
Rangers 1-1 Lobi Stars
Akwa Utd 1-0 Enyimba
Bayelsa Utd 5-1 Abia Warriors
Doma Utd 2-1 Tornadoes
Wikki Tourists 3-1 Dakkada FC
Nasarawa Utd 1-2 El-Kanemi Warriors
Remo Stars 0-0 Gombe United (abandoned)
