Dakkada produced a stunning second-half to thrash Rivers United 4-2 in an entertaining Matchday 19 of the NPFL played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo yesterday.
The Chosen Ones shocked the Pride of Rivers with the opening goal in the 23rd minute through Emmanuel Charles but the visitors retaliated with two quickfire goals in the 39th and 44th through Nelson Esor who ensured the away team were close to being 2-1 better at halftime. Dakkada struck on the stroke of halftime through debutant, Musa Bashiru to make it 2-2.
Dakkada changed the result of the game in the second half with two goals. Bashiru bagged his brace in the 63rd minute to Mark a magnificent debut while skipper, Christian Ekong put the result beyond doubt with the fourth goal in the game in the 76th minute.
Lobi Stars made it three successive home wins after a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Jigawa Golden Stars. The visitors shocked their host with the curtain-raiser in the 21st minute. Second-half substitute, Chinonso Okonkwo scored a brace in the 51st and 57th minutes to turn the tide for the under-fire Kabiru Dogo.
Kwara United and Kano Pillars returned to the top two with 36 points each after they needed brave second-half performances to beat Nasarawa United and Warri Wolves in Ilorin and Kaduna respectively.
The Harmony Boys broke the resistance of the Solid Miners through Samuel Ganda’s 58th-minute strike. Michael Ohanu doubled the advantage nine minutes from time.
Sai Masu Gida needed a third penalty kick in two games to pip Warri Wolves at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium. It was converted by Rabiu Ali as Pillars beat the Seasiders for the first time since 2014.
Wikki humbled Katsina United 3-1 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi. Manu Garba grabbed two goals in the fourth and 29th minutes while Stephen Chukwude notched the third with his first goal of the season in the 72 minutes less than 10 minutes when he came on as a substitute.
MFM season’s woes continued unabated after they were held to a 1-1 at home by fellow relegation strugglers, FC IfeanyiUbah. Justice Zachariah put the Olukoya Boys in the driver’s seat in the 36th minute but the Anambra Warriors staged a comeback through Lukman Aliu’s tap in after MFM’s goalkeeper had spilled Ekene Awazie’s long-range shot.
