Hi guys it the NPFL Matchday 19 report and review as it went down in the 12 different venues as the league will be heading up to the playoff as we have three(3) more matches to go before the playoff.

Enugu Rangers (Group A leader) and Akwa United (Group B leader) both seems to be heading straight to the playoff after gathering such significant points.

Enugu Rangers didn't have good news to take home as they drop all three points away from home while on the other hand Akwa United continue her fire form as they win three games in a row as they try keeping the first position out of reach from other clubs.

Let see how it went down...

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Group A: 3 Win, 3 Draw

Lobi Stars 1:0 Enugu Rangers

Lobi Stars didn't fail short from what was being expected from them in a nut cracking fixture in Makurdi as Lobi Stars (3rd) played host to Group A leader Enugu Rangers. The host did all they can to keep their hopes alive for a playoff spot.

Lobi Stars capitalized on Rangers current poor form as they draw the first blood few seconds to the end of the first half as Solomon Kwambe hit the back of the net at the 45+2'.

Minutes in the second half Lobi Stars player received a matching other as they played most of the second half with a man down which actually did not have any effect on the scoreline.

Pride of Benue moved to the second spot in Group A with 30 points from 19 games.

In 19 meetings between both sides Lobi Stars has pull 11 wins, 2 draw and lose 6.

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Sunshine Stars 1:0 Niger Tornadoes

Sunshine Stars of Akure return to winning ways after losing to Remo Stars on matchday 18. The host secured an important home win against visiting Niger Tornadoes. It was Chibundu Amah's 66' goal that makes the difference between the two sides.

So we can say that Sunshine Stars pay back Niger Tornadoes with the same coin after the first leg ended in a 1-0 win in favour of the Niger side.

Sunshine Stars occurred the 6th position with 26 points from 19 matches.

Bendel Insurance 2:1 Katsina United

Bendel Insurance was another team that pick up an all important 3 points as they try keeping theirselves above relegation water.

Two(2) first half goals at the 35' and 45' gave the host and their fans an exciting first half.

Katsina United came all out in the second half which yielded fruit at the 71' when Lawal Tasiu pull one back but it was only a consolation goal as Insurance secured maximum points.

Bendel Insurance occupied the 7th place with 25 points from 19 matches.

Katsina United won the first leg with the same goal margin on the 8th of February, 2019.

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Enyimba 1:1 Wikki Tourist

The People's Elephant played host to Wikki Tourist at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, after a disappointing matchday 18 result against Rivers United. It was another opportunity to get back to winning ways as to keep all hope alive.

Enyimba International shot into the lead from the penalty spot when Abdulrahman Bashir converted in the 13th minute to make 1-0. The scoreline remain so until half time.

Wikki Tourist came back more determine in the second half as Damala Promise levels the scores at the 60th minute.

Much to the disappointment of the home fans Enyimba have slipped to the third spot with 29 points from 19 games, ahead of their next game with Remo Stars in Sagamu in matchday 20.

Record: In 13 meetings between both sides the have been no away win between either of them from 2012 until date.

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MFM FC 1:1 Remo Stars

MFM FC came into this match after picking a point away from home against Wikki Tourist in matchday 18.

The Agege Stadium recorded a good fans turnout but that couldn't stop the visitors from taking the lead as Victor Chidume stunned the fans with the opener in the 23rd minute for the Sky Blue Stars.

It was Akanni Elijah's 60th minute goal that level the scores for the host as they were held to a draw by a bottom club.

It was not a comfortable result for the host as they fell off from the top 3 teams in Group A for the first time this season.

MFM are now in the 4th place with 29 points from 19 games, while Remo Stars, at the other end still remain at the bottom of the Group A with only 18 points from 19 matches. So we can say that they are simply playing for pride and nothing else.

Record: MFM FC has never lose against Remo Stars after 4 meetings, winning 3 and drawing 1.

That was Remo Stars first ever goal against MFM FC.

Kwara United 0:0 Rivers United

At the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin, Kwara United were held to a barren draw by visiting Rivers United.

Abubakar Bala boys played out a barren draw in the first leg at Port Harcourt as the percentage of draw between both sides increased to 46.7% after 15 meetings.

Records: 15 meetings; 7 draws, Rivers United and Kwara United won 5 times and 3 times respectively.

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Group B: Goals Rush And Maximum Points.

Group B is always outclassing group A with astonishing results week after week. Matchday 19 saw group B pulling out two away wins and 15 goals from 6 games.

Akwa United 1:0 Yobe Desert

Described as the team on fire, Akwa United didn't expect anything less than a win in this fixture as they recorded the only away win on matchday 18 against Go Round FC.

The Group A leaders welcome bottom side Yobe Desert.

Akwa United took off with a flying style as Aniefiok Godspower drawing the first blood at the 15th minute as more goals was being expected as the match progresses but shocking the promise keepers were made to work very hard before they could secure maximum points against visiting Yobe Desert at full time.

All thanks goes to the Akwa United goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo, who saved Philip Auta’s spot kick in the 33rd minute as the half time result remain 1-0.

Akwa United had an opportunity to increase the goal tally as penalty was being awarded but golden boy Mfon Udoh missed it at the 55' as the ball hit the woodwork.

It was a hard fight victory for the promise keepers. Akwa United have opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the NPFL Group B table with 37 points from 19 games.

Akwa have defeated Yobe Desert both home and away in 2019 NPFL season.

Record: Akwa United has meet Yobe Desert four (4) times and they have enjoyed maximum victory in all encounters with a 2:0, 0:1, 0:1, 1:0 scoreline.

Kano Pillars 2:0 Go Round

At the Sanni Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars played host to Go Round FC who are not having best of times this season. Kano Pillars can into this match after a 0:0 draw against Nasarawa United at the Lafia Township Stadium.

Kano Pillars were two goals better than Go Round as two first half goals from Malam Auwalu Ali and Madaki Chris at the 20' and 39' respectively gave the home side maximum points.

This victory has seen Kano Pillars moved into the playoff spot as they are now placed 2nd with 31 points from 19 games, while Go Round at the other end have slipped to the ninth spot and into the relegation zone with 25 points.

Record: Go Round FC won the first leg 2:1.

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Plateau United 2:1 Nasarawa United

Plateau United moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this season after they came back from behind to beat Nasarawa United 2-1 before their home fans at New Jos Road Stadium.

Anas Yusuf got his name registered on the scorer's list at the 2' as Nasarawa United draw first blood but couldn't hold unto it until the end of the first half, as first half efforts from Oche Odoba at the 25th minute and Kabiru Umar at the 32th minute changed the result for the host with Plateau United stepped up to the 7th position with 25 points.

Record: Nasarawa United won 2:1 on first leg.

After 8 encounters Plateau United came out victorious in 5. Nasarawa United won 2 and they share 1 draw.

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Gombe United 1:0 Ifeanyi Ubah

A 13 minute goal from Mohammed Adamu was all that was needed to see the host return to winning ways after a 2:0 lose to Plateau United.

Ifeanyi Ubah frustrating run continue as they witness a back to back defeat on matchday 18 and 19.

Record: Ifeanyi Ubah won the first leg of the encounter 2:0.

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El-Kanemi 0:2 Delta Force

Both teams came into this match after a barren draw in matchday 18.

At El Kanemi Sports Complex, Maiduguri, El Kanemi Warriors ended their run of home wins after they were humbled 2-0 by visiting Delta Force, with goals coming in from Ufuoma Ajamikoko at the 32' and Egbo Osita at the 90+9' to make sure they remain in the Nigeria Professional Football League come next season.

El-Kanemi Warriors are sock in poor form as they have only been able to win 1 game out of six(6) while Delta Force has been able to win 2, draw 2 and lose 2.

Record: This was their first ever meeting with Delta Force running away with all three points.

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Heartland FC 2:4 Abia Warriors

I saved the best for the last so let go.

Abia Warriors continue with their superb force after thrashing Ifeanyi Ubah 3:0 in matchday 18 fixture.

Abia Warriors have brightened their chances of spending another season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL ) after they demolished Heartland 4-2 in Okigwe in their latest Oriental Derby tie.

Heartland kick-started the goals party fixture at the 11th minute as Nnamdi Egbujor gave the home side the lead but Olawoyin Ibrahim leveled score at the 24th minute. The first half ended up with a 1-1 draw.

Fourteen minutes into the second half Olawoyin Ibrahim gave the "Ochendo Babes" the lead at the 59' , Oni Jimoh increase the goals tally to 1-3 at the 68', and Abdullahi

Fatai complete the damage at the 86'.

Heartland's Igo Glory Chigozie then scored a late goal at the 90+7' which was only a consolation goal at the end of the day.

Record: Heartland has never won Abia Warriors in their club history. After 9 games between both sides Abia Warriors has won 6 and draw 3 times.

It has always been a 1:0 win before this win.

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Thanks for your continuous support I really appreciate.

@akudozen.