The matchday three action of the Nigeria Professional Football League 2021/22 season began on Wednesday as Enyimba and Remo Stars dropped points for the first time this season.
Enyimba went into the day’s clash with Rivers United on a run of five consecutive wins and were looking for their third successive win in the league. Despite their unpleasant record against Enyimba in Aba, the Pride of Rivers were inspired by hot prospect Ishaq Rafiu’s fourth goal in three games to inflict a maiden loss on Finidi George as the former champions’ gaffer.
In Ikenne, high-flyers Remo Stars were held to a goalless draw by Bala Nikyu’s Nasarawa United. The home side missed a host of chances in the first half as they found it difficult to break down the Solid Miners who had last season’s topscorer Silas Nwankwo in their team.
An 81st-minute penalty by Friday Ubong secured a narrow win for Akwa United against Gombe United at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. While it ended goalless between Sunshine Stars and Enugu Rangers in Ijebu Ode.
Kwara United needed an own-goal from Ebuka Anakwe to beat Wikki Tourists at the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin. Abdullahi Biffo’s men struggled to find their rhythm as the away side, led by an indigene of the state Kabiru Dogo, made life difficult for them. but the early goal in the second half decided the cagey fixture in the end.
A controversial goal by Jonas Emmanuel gave Heartland a 1-0 win over Dakkada in Owerri. Similarly, Roland Precious scored a sumptuous goal in the second half to give MFM all three points against Plateau United at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
At the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, second-half goals from Adams Olamilekan and Ifeanyi Ogba turned a potential defeat into a win for Eddy Dombraye’s Lobi Stars against Shooting Stars who had gone in front through Akilu Mohammed in the first half.
In the remaining fixtures of the matchday on Thursday, Katsina United will host Kano Pillars in Katsina, while Niger Tornadoes will entertain Abia Warriors in Ilorin.
FULL Results
Akwa United 1-0 Gombe United
Lobi Stars 2-1 3SC
Enyimba 0-1 Rivers Utd
Sunshine Stars 0-0 Rangers
Kwara United 1-0 Wikki Tourists
MFM 1-0 Plateau Utd
Heartland 1-0 Dakkada
Remo Stars 0-0 Nasarawa United
Thursday Fixtures
Katsina United v Kano Pillars
Niger Tornadoes v Abia Warriors
