.Sunshine, MFM, Tornadoes bag home wins
.Lobi held in Makurdi
Enyimba have secured a sensational first double victory over Enugu Rangers after Victor Mbaoma’s two goals propelled them to a 2-1 win over the Flying Antelopes yesterday at the iconic Enyimba International Stadium, Aba in another Oriental derby in one of the Matchday 22 games.
The People’s Elephant had won the initial leg at the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium, Nnewi 1-0 on December 26th last year before they repeated the feat yesterday before their fans.
The Enyimba fans were held spellbound when Ossy Martins put the Flying Antelopes ahead in the 15th minute for his fifth goal of the season but Mbaoma equalised for Finidi George’s men in the 32nd minute before he bagged the back breaking winner in the 68th minute.
The win improved Enyimba’s points haul to 32 as they move to the seventh spot but Rangers remain in the third spot with 37 points at least until the remaining games are decided.
At the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, Lobi Stars failed to make it back to back home win since the appointment of new coach, Mohammed Babaganaru and new Vice Chairman, Dominic Iorfa after they were held to a goalless by Kano Pillars. The Pride of Benue remained in the 17th spot with 23 points while Sai Masu Gida are 13th with 26 points.
At the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Niger Tornadoes pipped Wikki Tourists, who are also using the same turf for their home ground because of the sanction by the League Management Company (LMC), 1-0 through Musa Wakili’s late goal. It was as if the local derby game was headed for a goalless draw until substitute Wikili headed home the only goal of the game in the 87th minute.
The Ikon Allah Boys are in the 14th spot in the table with 26 points but Wikki Tourists dropped two places down to now occupy the eighth spot with 30 points.
MFM moved a spot up to the 18th spot with 23 points after a 2-0 win over Dakkada FC at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. Goals from Oluwaseun Badejo and Oladayo Alabi in the 44th and 65th minutes handed the Olukoya Boys consecutive home wins for the first time since Matchdays 3 and 5 when they defeated Plateau United and Abia Warriors. Dakkada FC slipped to the 16th spot with 24 points.
At the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, new Sunshine Stars coach, Emmanuel Deutsch recorded his first win at the helms in a 1-0 victory over one of his former clubs, Abia Warriors. Ejike Uzoechi fired home the only goal of the game from the spot in the 21st minute. The three points take the Owena Whales to the sixth position with 32 points. Abia Warriors are in the 15th spot with 25 points.
Today, three more games will be decided in the Nigerian topflight with Gombe United battling with Nasarawa United at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe; Kwara United trade tackles with Plateau United in another North Central derby in Ilorin while Akwa United and Shooting Stars lock forms in Uyo.
