Sunshine Stars extended their lead at the top
Sunshine Stars FC of Akure continued its resurgence yesterday evening, humiliating NPFL defending champions Kano Pillars 3-0 in Akure. Against all expectations, Okey Emordi and his wards, despite showing occasional sparks of a fight-back, had no answer for their well-prepared hosts, who held out for their second win in four days. Paul Onobi had risen highest to powerfully nod home a Dele Olorundare corner kick 25 minutes into the game to send the full house stands to joyful songs and dance.
The lead was doubled on 57th minute when Seun Oluloya tapped in after the goalkeeper parried Tunji Adeniji’s shot on his path. The rout was complete nine minutes from regulation time when substitute Dayo Ojo converted from the spot. The win takes Sunshine Stars to 26 points from 13 games, two points ahead of second placed Wikki Tourists that won 3-0 at home to Sharks to leap over former second placed Enyimba.
Therefore FC Ifeany Ubah posted the highest scoring win on the road this season to move into third place. Rangers produced the other upset of the day piping Warri Wolves 1-0 at the Warri Township Stadium.
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Playing their first game at the Kakarnda Stadium in Katsina, El-Kanemi Warriors would never have imagined the thrashing given their recent form that saw them on 7th place with a match in hand. The nightmarish start at the new home ground began on the 14th minute when Uchechukwu Bright struck a powerful shot from outside the box to open what turned out a mild flood gate of goals. Enudi Solomon would scramble in the first of his brace on the night four minutes after Bright’s to double the Nnewi side’s lead.
Ifeanyi Ubah took the two goals’ lead into the interval and on resumption, Enudi completed his brace with a low drive from inside the box on 62nd minute and with their three goals’ cushion, the visitors began to show-boat, exhibiting training ground passing game. Bright then got his own brace on 70th minute, running in to round the goalkeeper before superbly slotting in his side’s fourth of the evening.
El-Kanemi got a consolatory goal late in the game when Ibrahim Mustapha chipped goalkeeper Usman to end proceedings at 4-1 to equal Sunshine Stars away goal margin of 3-0 against Heartland. IfeanyiUbah’s four goal stands as the highest scoring numbers so far this season by a team on the road.
Godwin Obaje joined the week’s league of brace hitters with efforts on 17th and 44th minute at their new Pantami Stadium ground against bottom placed Sharks FC. Alaba Johnson completed the Blue Angels’ misery with a third goal on 75th minute. The win took Wikki’s points’ haul to 24 from 13 games.
Rasaq Adegbite beat an offside trap on the 18th minute to reach a through ball before Warri Wolves goalkeeper, Dan Akpeyi to give Rangers the solitary strike and first away win of the season. The win is a boost for Rangers’ new coach and former assistant, Imama Amakapabo who was handed the team after Kelechi Emeteole was suspended.
Also playing at their adopted new home grounds, Heartland compounded the travails of FC Taraba with a 2-0 win with goals from Bright Ejike and Ivorian import, Rolan Koffi. Ejike only had to tap in a Collins Nwanneri cross five minutes into the encounter at the Rojenny Stadium in Oba near Onitsha while Koffi fired a screamer from 35 yards to double the lead.
Nasarawa United claimed all three points on their new home ground in Makurdi against a difficult Bayelsa United. A beautifully headed goal by Esosa Igbinosa separated the two sides in the contest as Bayelsa continues the search for a win in their last five games.
Another team with a favourable result on a new home turf is Abia Warriors courtesy of free kick expert, Ndifreke Effiong’s cross that sailed in after hitting the post, stunning goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode. The Warriors from Umuahia held on to that 16th minute lone strike all through the encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium.
Three other games ended in draws with the clash in Port Harcourt between Dolphins and Giwa FC and that in Ilorin between Kwara United and Lobi Stars ended in one goal apiece while Shooting Stars and Enyimba International played out a nil all draw in Ibadan. Ocheme Edoh put Giwa in front on 25 minute but the lead was cancelled out three minutes into the restart by Ifeanyi Egwim who headed in an Isiaka Olawale cross from a free kick.
Obioma Arinze on 79 minutes brought some respite for Lobi Stars coach Justin Tenger when he leveled out Segun Alebiosu’s 36th minute strike to give Lobi Stars their first point on the road in five matches. Meanwhile transfer gist hasti that Warri Wolves have duly stated that they might be interested in the sale of their hitman striker Gbolahan Salami.
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