Lobi Stars have returned to the top of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Kano Pillars in a matchday 18 yesterday.
The game between the two former league champions played at the adopted Lafia Township Stadium began on a bright note for the hosts as a well-timed pullout from Monday Akile met golden boy, Stanley Oganbor, who tapped in for the opening goal in the fifth minute.
However, parity to restored just before the half time when Suleiman Idris equalised for the visitors.
All moves by the home team to get the winning goal proved abortive as Kano Pillars held on to end Lobi’s 100 per cent streak at their adopted home in Lafia.
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Kano Pillars head coach Abdu Maikaba commended his team for staying in the match despite conceding early while Lobi Stars head coach Eugene Agagbe took solace in the fact that the season is still a long way from its end and hopes they can dig out results elsewhere in subsequent games to make up for the lost points.
At the Muhammadu Dikko stadium, Katsina United stunned Remo Stars with a well-deserved 2-0 win.
Emmanuel Okoko had opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and in the dying minutes of the game, Nafiu Ibrahim ensured all three points for his side.
Remo Stars who prior to this game led the table will rue the loss after spurning chances to win the clash.
At the Samson Siasia stadium, Bayelsa United against all odds defeated visiting Bendel Insurance 2-0.
The home side who have been very poor in recent games came into this game to improve their chances to move out of the relegation zones.
With all intent and purpose, midfielder Garando Tekema fired home the first goal of the game in the 18th minute to shock their visitors.
Insurance who have been in impressive form this season stepped up their game but were unable to get the goal, rather, Eyong Ofem killed off their onslaught in the 92nd minute to get all maximum points.
In the last match of the day, it was a feisty South-West derby as Sporting Lagos held visiting Shooting Stars to a 2-2 draw at the Onikan Stadium.
The game which lived up to its billing as a crunchy derby saw Chinedu Ufere putting the hosts ahead in the 41st minute but Kareem Ademola equalised in the 49th minute.
Four minutes later, the hosts were in front through Jonathan Alukwu and again, in the 51st minute, Gideon Monday made it 2-2.
