-
…As Mayi engages fiancée, Blessing Karimu, before kick-off
Imperious Plateau United whipped defending champions Akwa United 3-0 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) MatchDay 15 fixture played yesterday at the New Jos stadium to keep pressure on leaders Rivers United.
Rivers United who edged Nasarawa United 2-1 on Saturday are on top of the table with 32 points, one more than Plateau United after 15 matches.
In a one-way traffic situation, Plateau United took an early lead when Silas Nenrot’s feeble attempt at the edge of the box beat Akwa United’s goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka for the opening goal in the 6th minute.
Five minutes to half time, Nenrot should have bagged a brace but he frittered a good chance created by Sunday Anthony who had assisted the first goal.
In the 75th minute, Adewale made two point-blank saves in quick successions to keep the scoreline at two-nil.
However, Plateau United doubled their lead in the 64th minute when Buhari Ibrahim directed his header on target before Chimezie Izuchukwu wrapped up victory with the third goal in the 90th minute.
But it was not all gloom for Akwa United as one of their star players, Seth Mayi, had successfully engaged his heartthrob, Blessing Karimu, before the kick-off of the match.
In a brief ceremony, Miss Karium accepted Mayi’s engagement ring after which they posed for photographs with players of both teams.
Elsewhere, Alao Danbani’s solitary striker in the 19th minute handed Kwara United a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes while MFM continued with their resurgence in Lagos where Muyiwa Alade Balogun scored in the 80th minute to top Sunshine Stars 1-0 in the south-west derby.
Meanwhile, the north-east derby between neighbours Wikki Tourists and Gombe United ended 1-0 in favour of the ‘Bauchi elephants’ after Manu Garba broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute.
Gombe United ended the match with ten-men after hard-tackling defender Chidera Eze was sent off in the third minute of second half added time.
