Match Day Five NPFL Wrap: Rivers United stay top as Enyimba edge ‘Classico’


Rivers United are still top of the Nigeria Professional Football League after recording a 3-1 victory over Heartland on match day five.
Godwin Aguda, Kazie Eyinnaya and Malachi Ohawume were the goalscorers for United while Shadrach Oghali netted the consolation for the visitors at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ have now amassed 12 points out of a possible 15 and are top of the standings, a point clear of second placed Nasarawa United who beat Katsina United 1-0 in Lafia.
Chigozie Uzochukwu’s strike helped the Lafia club maintain their unbeaten start to the season with the narrow win at the City Stadium.
Enyimba returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Kano Pillars in Aba.
Anayo Iwuala and Gabriel Orok netted for the hosts in the first half but Sai Masu Gida pulled one back as Fuad Usman set up a grandstand finish when he plundered Pillars’ consolation in the 86th minute 
It was however too little, too for the visitors as Enyimba held on for maximum points which saw them climb to fifth.
Pillars’ in unbeaten start to the season thus came to an abrupt end.
Nasarawa United are the only unbeaten side in the league as they recorded a 1-0 win against Katsina United.
Abia Warriors got their first point of the season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Nnewi.
Christian Samuel gave Warriors the lead as early as the ninth minute. Imama Amapakabo thought his side would coast to a valuable away victory but Christian Molokwu put a dagger in the hearts of the Abia club as he equalised for Ifeanyi Ubah in the 76th minute.
Lobi Stars moved up to third in the standings following a late winner from the penalty spot against Dakkada.
Dakkada went behind on 15 minutes as Samuel Mathias broke the deadlock but Christian Ekong restored parity for Dakkada in the 70th minute. Lobi Stars secured the three points in the end as Austin Ogunye scored from 12 yards out in injury time.
MFM and Enugu Rangers settled for a point in Lagos. Muyiwa Balogun equalised for MFM six minutes after Ugochukwu Ugwoke gave Rangers the lead in the 23rd minute.
Plateau United moved to ninth on the table after an emphatic 3-0 win against Adamawa United.
Plateau United took the lead through Amos Gyang’s spot kick at the stroke of halftime. Two late goals in two minutes from Kingsley Innocent (89′) and Wasiu Jimoh (90+1′) for the Jos club was enough to get the win.
Sunshine Stars defeated Warri Wolves 1-0 at the Akure Township Stadium thanks to Sadeeq Yusuf’s injury time goal. Jigawa Golden Stars and Kwara United shared the spoils in a goalless draw.
Full Results.
Nasarawa United 1 – 0 Katsina United
Plateau United 3 – 0 Adamawa United
Enyimba 2 – 1 Kano Pillars
Rivers United 3 – 1 Heartland
Jigawa Golden Stars 0 – 0 Kwara United
FC Ifeanyi Ubah 1 – 1 Abia Warriors
MFM 1 – 1 Rangers
Lobi Stars 2 – 1 Dakkada FC
Sunshine Stars 1 – 0 Warri Wolves