The NPFL 2019 season is getting close to an end as 18 out of 22 league matches has been played so far.
Today I take a quick preview of how matchday 18 went down at 12 different centers.
Group A: Lone Goal Encounters
Rivers United 1-0 Enyimba International
The first goal update came in at the 13 minute from the 16,000 capacity Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt where Rivers United played host to "the peoples elephant" Enyimba FC. The home side took the lead through Martins Ossy strike. Ossy's goal was all that was needed to see that Rivers United return to winning ways of the keenly contested encounter after they loss 1-0 to MFM on matchday 17.
Enugu Rangers 1-0 Kwara United
Enugu base side Rangers secured a 1-0 win over Kwara United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. The Group A Leaders have to wait until the third quarter of the game as Ogbuke Felix found back of the net 79 minute. For the 2019 season Enugu Rangers has defeated Kwara United both home and away after a 1-2 win on the 10th of April.
The win sees the Flying Antelope maintained their first position in the log table with 34 points, 6 points ahead of 2nd place Enyimba International.
Remo Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Sunshine Stars came into this match after a 2-1 win against Wikki Tourist on matchday 17 while Remo Stars loss 3-2 to Katsina United on same matchday. So all hands must be on deck if they wish to bounce back to winning ways.
It was a 71 minute goal from Mbaoma Victor that secured all three points for the home team as they test their first victory after 7 disappointing winless run.
Remo Stars has now win 4 matches, draw 5 and loss 9 matches as they rock the bottom of Group A.
Lobi Stars 1-0 Bendel Insurance
It was actually a super time for this fixture as Lobi Stars looked forward to strengthening their place for the playoff while Bendel Insurance on the other hand are struggling to survive the relegations water.
After four (4) consecutive draw it Sikiru Alimi's 62' goal that made the difference between the two sides
The first leg ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Bendel Insurance.
This win took Lobi Stars to 3rd position in Group A with 27 points.
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Katsina United
Niger Tornadoes returned to winning ways once again after two consecutive draw on matchday 16&17 against Remo Stars and Bendel Insurance respectively. The home side have to wait until the 80th minute for Saib Dosso to put the ball at the back of the net as they held onto it until the end of the game.
This was Niger Tornadoes 3th victory ( lowest), giving them a total of 18points after 18 league games as they move just one point above the bottom club Remo Stars.
Wikki Tourist 1-1 MFM FC
The only draw in Group A was witnessed at the Pantami Stadium.
Wikki Tourists need to work hard at home to draw 1-1 against MFM before their home fans at the Pantami Stadium after Anthony Franklin put the hosts ahead at the 38', while Oladejo Oluwafemi levelled scores for MFM FC in the last quarter of the game at the 75.
It was not a fair results for either team as both teams came out for a win to make a significant progress on the log.
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Group B: Equality 3 wins, draw and lose.
Unlike Group A which decided to share 7 goals among six(6) venues Group B decided to share 6 goals among 3 venues in a 3:2:1 ratio.
Abia Warriors 3:0 Ifeanyi Ubah
At the Umuahia Township Stadium Ifeanyi Ubah suffered the biggest defeat on matchday 18 as the “Ochendo Babes" return to play before their home fans after two away features.
The Lagos side has never defeated Abia Warriors since the creation of the club.
Ifeanyi Ubah (2nd) were up for a revenge after Abia Warriors defeated them 2-1 at their home ground on 3rd of March 2019 to keep their home alive for the playoff finish but unfortunately the club inconsistent form continues as goals from Atilola Salam 26', Olawoyin Ibrahim 51', and Asiegbu Shedrack 68' nailed the visitors to a 3-0 defeat be Abia Warriors.
Ifeanyi Ubah has now win five(5) games and loss five (5) in their last ten(10) fixtures.
After this win Abia Warriors are still stuck in the relegation mud 11/12 while the Ubah loss their 2nd position to El Kanemi Warriors on goals difference.
Plateau United 2-0 Gombe United
It was a battle between two clubs that are struggling to escape relegation in Jos as Plateau United played host to Gombe United.
It was a 2-0 victory for the home side courtesy of two fine strikes from Olatunbosun Sikiru at the 64' and 5 minutes after they double the lead as Ovoke Bernard scores from spot kick.
That was Plateau United 5th win in this current season.
Go Round FC 0-1 Akwa United
Akwa United extend their lead on top of Group B to 4 points after a last minute 0-1 win against Go Round FC at Krisdera Hotel Stadium, River State with Aniefiok Godspower scoring an heartbreaking 90+3' header to send the host and their fans into moaning as the visitors ran away with all three points and also mark the only away win on matchday 18.
Akwa United are now join top with Enugu Rangers with the team with the highest point (34) and highest number of win (10).
The Barren Teams
Nasarawa United 0-0 Kano Pillars
The Miners lost their opportunity to go fourth and a point behind 3th placed team as Kano Pillars held them to a barren draw.
The Kano side still maintained their one point lead over the Miners.
Delta Force 0-0 Heartland
The same scenario is also witness here as one points separate both teams but Heartland FC were able to maintain their one point lead over Delta Force.
Yobe Stars 0-0 El Kanemi Warriors
This was one of the disappointing result for bettors as the 3rd placed team went visiting the bottom team which has lose a whopping 12 matches out of 17 but the Yobe Stars were able to hold the top club to a stand still.
For this season’s abridged NPFL league, the top three teams in Group A and B after 22 games will compete in a Super six tourney to pick the champion.
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@akudozen
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