Nominated 2018 champions of the NPFL, Lobi Stars and former champions, Enyimba, enjoyed wins over FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Rangers as the 2019 NPFL Playoffs kicked off in Agege on Tuesday www.aclsports.com reports
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Lobi Stars were just too hot for Ifeanyi Ubah to handle as a Samad Kadiri brace inspired them to a 3-1 victory over the side from Anambra.
Kadiri put the defending champions ahead as early as the second minute, but FCIU equalised through Ebetomame Tega just before the break.
Kadiri grab his second of the game on the hour mark to restore Lobi’s lead before Alimi Skiru put the game beyond Ifeanyi three minutes later when he doubled Lobi’s advantage.
Enyimba edge Rangers in Oriental Derby
Earlier in the day, the 2019 Playoffs kicked off with Enyimba seeing off Rangers in the Oriental derby.
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Joseph Osadiaye netted the decisive goal four minutes into the second half to hand the People’s Elephant a narrow 1-0 victory over the Flying Antelopes.
In what was the first match of the day, Enyimba dominated from start to finish and should have won by more than one goal especially in the first half when Ikechukwu Ibenegbu struck the woodwork with superb free kick.
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Aniefok stars for Akwa United in four-goal thriller
Akwa United attacking midfielder, God’spower Aniefok, was the obvious standout performer as the Promise Keepers held ten-man Kano Pillars to a 2-2 draw.
Aniefok put in an outstanding display, capping off his inspirational performance with the goal that earned his side a share of the spoils.
Akwa trailed two times in the game but came back both times in a highly entertaining opening half.
David Ebuka set the ball rolling when he gave Pillars the lead on the second minute courtesy of a howler from defender, Denis Nya.
Akwa found their way back into the game via a well worked goal from home boy, Ndifreke Effiong Udo, who headed the Akwa Ibom state side level on the half hour mark.
Akwa’s goal only lasted three minutes, however, before Pillars restored their lead this time through Nyima Nwangwa.
There would be one more goal in the first half as Akwa equalised for the second time, also three minutes after Pillars had taken the lead.
Aniefok out jumped everyone to head home from another peach of a cross to level the scores at 2-2 at the break.
It remained like that in the second half but Pillars were reduced to ten men when Ifeanyi Nweke was shown a straight red card for a cynical foul on the stroke of the 90.
After the matches, Lobi Stars are top of the table with three points, same as Enyimba who stay second due to their inferior goal difference.
Full Results
Enyimba 1-0 Rangers
Kano Pillars 2-2 Akwa Utd
FCIU 1-3 Lobi Stars
