The Nigeria Professional Football League resume on Wednesday with some rescheduled matches.
Four matches went down at four different center and one fixture on Thursday
- Katsina United hosted Group A leaders MFM.
- Lobi Stars welcome Rivers United.
- Enugu Rangers returns to NPFL as they hosted Sunshine Stars in the only fixture yesterday
In Group B
- Newly promoted side Kada City hosted Kano Pillars.
- Another newly promoted side Yobe Desert Stars played before their home fans as they play host to Abia Warriors.
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A Satisfactory Draw
Katsina United 1-1 MFM
Katsina United played before their home fans for the second time in a role. After coming out victorious on matchday 11 last Sunday against Kwara United. The host wish to continue with their good form against a high flying Group A leaders MFM.
The away team are still in top form after a 2:0 back to back win against Sunshine Stars and Bendel Insurance.
The match kick-off at 16:00 GMT. Both teams were so discipline defensively as they mark off the attackers, as both keepers pull up some superb saves.
It was a goalless draw until the 44th minute when MFM pull the first blood through Chijioke Akuneto d strike. The visitors headed into the second half with the lead but rescue came for the host team through Martins Usule with a close range finish at the 70th minute.
The match went into a low tempo until the 80' were MFM FC goalkeeper Folarin Abayomi was badly injured after a bad challenge on him by Timothy Danladi.
He tried to continue for some minutes but at the 87 minute he gave up and was been replaced by Jerry.
Both teams went away with a satisfactory draw.
MFM FC recorded their first draw
The draw saw MFM FC increase their lead on the table to 6 points.
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Consolation After Elimination
Lobi Stars 2- 1 Rivers United FC
Lobi Stars returned to the NPFL after being eliminated from the CAF Champions League.
Lobi Stars had no better way to reassure their home fans than to pull a win against the Port Harcourt side Rivers United FC the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
Before the rescheduled fixture the host stood at the 9th position on the NPFL group A table after 6 matches with 5 outstanding matches due to their involvement in the CAF Champions League.
The Makurdi club started the match with a better ball possession with more determination to pull first blood but the visitors were ready to change the football match into a game of combat as they were so aggressive.
The center man took charge of the game as he pull out four yellow cards to the visiting team players at different points.
The breakthrough moment came at the 45+1 minute through Sikiru Alimi strike, as he continues his fine attacking form for his side.
The second half didn't keep the host for long before celebrating as Michael Stephen hit the back of the net at the 53 minute as they Makurdi club raced into a two goals lead.
Rivers United most realistic chance came at the 75' as a free kick was being awarded at close range. Cletus Emotan step into the seen as he score a direct free kick at the 77'.
The visiting team try pulling for a come back as they make a double substitution; Kehinde Adedipe out for Festus Austine while Chinda Chizi was being replaced by Bright Onyedikachi.
Nothing fruitful came out at full-time as they went away with a consolation goal.
Statistics:
Lobi Stars - Rivers United
Shots: 15 - 9
On target: 5 - 3
Fouls: 10 - 17
Yellow: 2 - 4
Corners: 5 - 2
The win skyrocketed Lobi Stars 6 places as they move from 9th to 3rd position with 14 points on the NPFL Group A table.
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The Flying Antelopes celebrate over Sunshine Stars Misfortune.
Enugu Rangers 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
As Lobi Stars were being eliminated from the CAF Champions League, Enugu Rangers also kiss goodbye to the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in front of their home fans at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium as they lost by a lone goal to CS Sfaxien.
Before this game Flying Antelopes' coach Gbenga Ogunbote encouragie his boys to pickup their selves and put their CAF Confederation Cup exit behind.
The coach promised the club management and the fans that they are now focused on the NPFL as they do away with all forms of distraction.
Preview
Enugu Rangers has played only four(4) league games this season due to their involvement in continental competition.
The Enugu side has won three(3) of those games and loosing only one (1) against Group leaders MFM FC.
The visitors are not really having the best of time this season. In their last 5 fixtures Sunshine Stars has won only one match against Kaduna United over a month ago, pulling two draws and also loosing two. The team is really struggling with a poor goal scoring form.
Review
The home team started the game with so much energy like wounded lions looking for who to devour.
The first few minutes saw most of the ball in the visitor's half but the keep parking the ball.
A superb opportunity came at the 23' for the Rangers but Sunshine Stars were lucky as Ifeanyi George hits the woodwork, after a perfectly worked Rangers' opportunity.
The home side didn't give up on the attack as it yielded fruit in the 26' as Gabriel Olalekan turns Ajani Ibrahim's delivery into his own net, o! an own goal.
The first half ended with the home side leading by a lone goal.
The second half didn't give the fans much exceptional moments except at the 56' when Sunshine Stars step up to the occasion as Chibundu hit the target from a close but Oladuntoye was around to rescue the Rangers.
Both teams were wasteful on the day but the brilliant performance of the goalkeeper was also wonderful.
At full-time the scores stood at 1-0 in favour of the home side marking their 4th victory in 5 league games.
The win took Rangers from the 11th to 7th position with 12 points.
Statistics:
Rangers - Sunshine Stars
Shots: 10 - 9
On Target: 6 - 4
Corners: 3 - 5
Fouls Won: 20 - 17
Yellow: 2 - 3
Red: 0 - 0
Saves: 3 - 5
Offsides: 3 - 3
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Group B Results
It was a remarkable day for group B as they witness two away victories which is such a welcome development to the league.
The Pillars Stood Firm
Kada City 0-2 Kano Pillars.
The Aba Warriors won the battle
Yobe Desert Stars 1-3 Abia Warriors.
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@akudozen
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