Forward Emeka Obioma scored a memorable hat trick in Enyimba’s 5-0 drubbing of Gombe United on a Sunday of defining results in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Boosted by the win in Maiduguri last time out, Enyimba played their final home game with much intensity and elegance to stroll past their opponents from Gombe. Obioma got the Elephants running, Ikenna Cooper and Sadiq Abubakar added further goals before the former Abia Warriors striker completed his hat trick in the final quarter of the game.
In the game of huge significance in Akure, Kwara United edged Nasarawa United 1-0 to preserve their Premier League status for another season. Substitute Ibrahim Yahaya got the big goal in the 81st minute, as the Solid Miners are relegated to the second division for the first time since 2012.
In Jos, Remo Stars gave their super six aspirations a huge boost by beating fellow contenders Plateau United 2-1 at the New Jos Stadium. Plateau got the opener through Saidu Salisu in the 70th minute before Remo Stars rallied back with two goals in the final ten minutes through Adams Olamilekan and Olamilekan Adedayo to turn the game on its head.
Consequently, the win hands the Ikenne side the advantage of reaching the Super Six going to the final day of the regular season.
Friday Ubong’s brace handed Akwa United a comfortable 2-0 win over Elkanemi Warriors in Uyo, while Sikiru Alimi scored a late equaliser for Shooting Stars to earn a point in Benin against Bendel Insurance.
GROUP B
Following their defeats in the CAF Confed Cup and Federation Cup, Rivers United returned to winning ways via a 2-1 home win over Bayelsa United. Mohammed Shiraz and Nyima Nwagua scored for the champions, while Tekena Garando scored for the visitors.
Sunshine Stars duo of David Onovo and Ibrahim Yusuf scored in either half to inflict a first home defeat of the season on Niger Tornadoes in Kaduna.
Wikki Tourists hammered Abia Warriors 4-0 in Bauchi to brighten their chances of beating the drop. Abubakar Ahmed, Abubakar Aliyu, Samuel Stone and an own-goal helped get the job done.
Meanwhile, Dakkada were relegated on Saturday, while the final game between Doma United and Rangers ended goalless.
FULL RESULTS
Kwara Utd 1-0 Nasarawa Utd
Plateau Utd 1-2 Remo Stars
Akwa Utd 2-0 Elkanemi
Insurance 1-1 3SC
Rivers Utd 2-1 Bayelsa Utd
Doma Utd 0-0 Rangers
Wikki 4-0 Abia Warriors
Tornadoes 0-2 Sunshine Stars
Enyimba 5-0 Gombe Utd
