Dakkda beat Akwa United 3-1 to keep hope alive

Relegation-threatened Dakkada have kept their hopes of survival alive after defeating city rivals, Akwa United 3-1 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week 34 match played yesterday at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.

Although Dakkada fell behind in the 39th minute when Samuel Amadi put the visitors in front, Etido Dan levelled scores for the hosts in the 42nd minute, Aniekan Ekpe scored the second in the 54th minute before Edidiong Ezekiel scored the third minutes from regulation time.

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The important victory has lifted Dakkada above Pillars and Heartland to 17th position with 40 points and they have an outstanding match with Pillars.

At the Jos stadium, Plateau United failed to close the gap on title favourites, Rivers United, as they were forced to a draw 1-1 by Gombe United.

After Ibrahim Yahaya cancelled out Andrew Ireke’s opening goal in the 70th minute, Nenrot Silas failed to win the match for Plateau United as he missed from the spot at the death.

In Ilorin, Junior Lokosa’s goal in the 29th minute won it for Kwara United against Sunshine Stars while Remo Stars won 3-1 against Lobi Stars in Ikenne to leapfrog Rangers to third on the table while restoring their visitors’ relegation worries.

Former Lobi Stars man, Sikiru Alimi opened the scoring for Remo Stars in the 18th minute but Francis Odinaka got the equaliser with a diving header off Adams Olamilekan’s pin-point cross in the 57th minute.

However, Tolulope Ojo restored Remo Stars lead in the 64th minute before Samuel Anaekwe put the match beyond Lobi Stars in the 75th minute.

In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists fought back to draw 1-1 with 3SC. Opeoluwa Olufemi put the visitors in front in the 53rd minute before Idris Guda equalised from the spot with the last kick of the match.

Meanwhile, MFM have proved that they are not ready to drop to the lower division without a fight as they came from behind to beat Enyimba 2-1 in Ijebu-Ode.

After a barren first half, leading goal scorer, Victor Mbaoma put Enyimba ahead in the 52nd minute but Oladapo Alabi levelled scores from the spot in the 64th minute before Nduka David nicked the maximum points for MFM with the second goal in the 75th minute.