December, 7 2023.
.Fatai Osho's Faith Is Uncertain After Akwa Utd Lost Again
Heartland FC of Owerri have finally recorded a win, in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), after a battling 1-0 defeat of Bendel Insurance of Benin, in one of the headline Day-12 fixtures played on Wednesday.
Austin Osanyade got the solitary goal, in the 51st minute of the intense match, played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, in Owerri as the struggles of Insurance, in away games, got extended.
Prior to Wednesday, the Nazé Millionaires were the only NPFL team, that had yet to win a match, and despite a managerial change that saw two-time winner of the NPFL title, Kennedy Boboye take over the reigns of affairs from Christian Obi; they needed a third fixture to win their first match of the season.
The victory took their points tally to 12, but they are still trapped in the drop zone, along with Bayelsa United (who were not in action); and the duo of Gombe United FC and Akwa United FC; who were both beaten, on Wednesday.
Gombe United lost 0-1 to Lobi Stars of Makurdi, for whom Sunday Chukwu grabbed the match winner on 25 minutes, at the Lafia Township Stadium to send the Father Boys, joint top of the log with Remo Stars of Ikenne, on 23 points.
On the other hand, Kano Pillars edged Akwa United FC of Uyo, 1-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, in Kofarmata; a result that saw the Sai Masu-Gida climb up the log, to 4th; while the Promise Keepers and their under-fire Head Coach, Fatai Osho were left to lick their wounds, after yet another defeat.
But the result of the day, no doubt came from Jos, where Olawale Doyeni scored in the fourth minute of added time to give Plateau United a dramatic 2-1 victory, over Rangers Int'l FC of Enugu, at their Zaria Road Stadium.
Moses Adikwu gave the hosts the lead as early as the 3rd minute, but the response of Rangers was swift, as Chidiebere Nwobodo netted the equalizer 12 minutes later, to the delight of Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, and a handful of fans, supporting the Flying Antelopes; whose CEO Barrister Amobi Ezeagu was in the State Box, on his return from Cairo to attend the congress of the newly formed African Clubs Association (ACA).
While the defeat saw Rangers regress further to 12th in the table; Plateau United celebrated victory against their immediate past Technical Adviser, Coach Ilechukwu and are now 10th; although both sides still has one outstanding match, to play.
Doma United are now 3rd on 22 points, after holding Kwara United to a goalless draw, at the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin, to extended their unbeaten run; and that was a seventh straight clean sheet for goalkeeper, Osayi Kingdom.
In the twelve (12) matches played thus far, goalkeeper Kingdom has kept ten (10) clean sheets, to underline his credentials as one of the very best in the league.
In other games decided, Remo Stars of Ikenne, could only draw nil-nil away to Niger Tornadoes of Minna, at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, in Kaduna; and the point gained took the Sky Blues from Ikenne-Remo to the top of the log, on superior goal difference to Lobi Stars who are also on 23 points.
Moses Omodumueke's 73rd minute goal, saw Sunshine Stars dim Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan; in a South-West derby played in Akure with a lot at stake.
3SC Head Coach, Olugbenga Ogunbote was a two-time gaffer of the Akure Gunners, and at a time took the team as far as the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup; while Edith Agoye joined Sunshine Stars, last season, after falling out with the management of the Oluyole Warriors.
Elsewhere, Abia Warriors preserved their unbeaten run in Umuahia by scoring in the 84th minute, through Nwabueze Paschal to earn a share of the spoils, after a 1-1 draw with Sporting FC of Lagos; for whom Naibe Akpesiri had given the lead, in the 18th minute.
Two fixtures; the Niger Delta derby between Rivers United and Bayelsa United; as well as that between reigning champions, Enyimba Int'l FC of Aba and Katsina United, who have been trending in the Social Media for the wrong reasons; had both been put on pulse by the management of the NPFL for varied reasons; www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
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