Former champions, Plateau United stormed to the top of the table for the first time since the beginning of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season after a commanding 3-1 win over 3SC in the week 13 match played yesterday at the New Jos township stadium.
The inform United side went in front as early as the 8th minute through Mohammed Zulkifilu, Oluwaseyi Okeowo equalised for the visitors in the 42nd minute following a sloppy defending but Albert Hilary and Silas Nenrot scored a goal each in the second half to wrap up victory for the home side.
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Plateau United who have recorded two away wins in their last four matches now lead the table with 27 points but second placed Rivers United with 25 points stand a chance of reclaiming the top spot today, if they can win away at Abia Warriors.
But Kano Pillars free fall continued as Wikki Tourists rallied back to beat the ‘Sai Masu gida’ boys 2-1 in Bauchi. Pillars went in front in the 15th minute through Gabriel Jeremiah but Promise Damala’s brace in the 82nd and 84th minute ensured the former Nigerian champions suffered their seventh loss of the season.
Elsewhere, champions Akwa United recorded their first away win of the season a few days after they parted ways with Coach Kennedy Boboye as they stunned Remo Stars 1-0 in Ikenne.
David Onovo’s goal in 28th minute was all Akwa United needed to inflict the second defeat of the season on Remo Stars after their unbeaten run ended last weekend at Gombe United.
There were also slim victories for Kwara United (Alao Danbani 17th minute), Niger Tornadoes (Munir Idris 90) and MFM (Tunde Azeez 81) who recorded 1-0 victories over Enyimba, Sunshine Stars and Katsina United respectively.
For MFM who are rooted at the bottom of the table, yesterday’s victory was their first in seven matches. After the 2-1 win at home against Abia Warriors on January 9, MFM then went on a losing streak of six matches with only one draw at home against Akwa United.
Meanwhile, the remaining four week 13 matches will be played today as Dakkada host Gombe United, Lobi Stars travel to face Heartland in Owerri, Rangers welcome Nasarawa United in Nnewi while Abia Warriors slug it out with title contenders Rivers United in Okigwe