League leaders, Rivers United fought back to draw 1-1 with El-Kanemi Warriors in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Week 9 fixture played yesterday in Port-Harcourt.
Before the crunch match, expectations were high that one of the clubs would lose its invincibility, but in the end, both clubs maintained their unbeaten run.
The visitors from the north east took a shock lead in the 33rd minute when Sama’ila Bello put them in front but two minutes later, Taoefeek Otaniyi found the equaliser for Rivers United.
Before the end of the first half, Gimbal Ajiji was sent off but El-Kanemi fought hard for a share of the spoils on away soil.
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Despite the draw, Rivers United maintained the top spot with 21 points while Remo Stars who suffered a shock 0-1 loss at Heartland are in second position with 18 points.
Afolayan Temitope Peters’ solitary strike in the 71st minute was the winner for the struggling ‘Naze millionaires’ of Owerri who have moved out of the drop zone.
In Aba, new boys Ikorodu City were heading to a historic draw against Enyimba before Moses Adikwu grabbed the match winner at the death.
Ifeanyi Ihemekwele gave the ‘Peoples Elephants’ the lead as early as the 6th minute but Toyeeb Ajeyigbe drew Ikorodu City level in the 90th minute. However, Adikwu broke the visitors’ heart with the winning goal in added time.
Coach Kennedy Boboye returned to his former club Plateau United where he suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat with Sunshine Stars.
Vincent Temitope set the tone for the massive win with the opening goal in the 14th minute from the spot before Sadiq Abubakar Adamu’s brace sealed victory for the former champions.
Elsewhere, Captain Anas Yusuf celebrated his CHAN Eagles invitation with a 41st minute goal- his ninth of the season, as Nasarawa United pipped Kano Pillars 1-0 in Lafia while 3SC won with more than a goal for the first time this season beating Akwa United 2-1 in Ibadan.
Gideon Monday and Joshua Akpan scored a goal each for 3SC in the 45th and 73rd minute before Friday Apollos reduced the deficit for Akwa United in the 83rd minute.
Meanwhile, week nine matches will be concluded today as bottom of the table side, Lobi Stars host Bayelsa United in Lafia while title holders, Enugu Rangers battle Kwara United at the ‘Cathedral’.
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