Eight matches were played across the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, with Rivers United, Lobi Stars and FCIU the biggest winners on Wednesday.
Six of those games ended in victories for the home teams who dominated matchday 30 proceedings in the domestic league.
Rivers United Close In On Top 3
Rivers United are now within two points of league leaders Akwa United, who don’t play until Thursday, after a comprehensive 3-1 defeat of Plateau United in Port Harcourt.
A blistering first half performance that produced two goals from Godwin Aguda, from the spot, Malachi Ohawuma helped the Pride of Rivers a 15th win of the season as they bounced back from that defeat in Minna to Nasarawa United.
Shedrack Oghali added a third goal just before the hour mark for United before the visitors Plateau got a late consolation via Andrew Ikefe in the highly entertaining encounter.
With the win, Rivers have moved up to 4th on the table on 51 points, two points off leaders Akwa United who take on Nasarawa United later on Thursday in Uyo.
For Abdul Makaiba and his boys from Jos, the latest setback sees them 10 points off top four as they occupy 9th place on the log.
Ossy-inspired Lobi Stars Too Strong For Naze Millionaires
An excellent second half display inspired by former Rivers United man Ossy Martin saw Makurdi team Lobi Stars dismantle their visitors Heartland FC.
After a goalless opening half to the game, Ossy put his side ahead five minutes after the restart, before Akile Monday doubled their advantage just after the hour mark.
Martin ensured all three points would remain in Makurdi when he netted his second a Lobi’s third of the match to seal the win on 79 minutes.
A man of the match display from the talented forward to help his side seal their 14th win of the season, moving them up to 8th on the table on 46 points, five points above their opponents, Heartland, who are 11th on the table.
FCIU Continue Mini-home Run With Super Win
Nnewi side FC Ifeanyi Ubah extended their unbeaten run at home to five (5) matches with a comfortable 3-0 win over bottom club Adamawa United.
Two second half goals courtesy Nonso Nzediegwu and Abel James, and Ekene Awazie’s first half strike earned them an important win and three points.
FCIU remain deep-rooted in the danger zone, however, 17th on the log with 31 points, two points away from safety.
Enyimba, Pillars Drop Points as Rangers compound Warriors Woes
The NPFL title aspirations of Enyimba International and Kano Pillars suffered a huge blow after both teams dropped crucial points.
The People’s Elephants narrowly escaped defeat at home after coming from behind to salvage a point at home to Warri Wolves following a 1-1 draw.
Pillars were not so lucky on the road as they fell 2-1 to MFM FC in Lagos. Tosin Olubola and Adeyinka Nojeem the scorers for the Olukoya Boys, while Pillars and NPFL legend Rabiu Ali netted the consolation for Sai Masu Gida.
Elsewhere in the NPFL, Enugu Rangers came from a goal down to beat Abia Warriors 2-1 in Enugu, Chrisian Nnaji and Elijah Ani the scorers for the Flying Antelopes, while Yakub Hammad’s opener in the game turned out to be nothing but a consolation for Warriors.
It wasn’t the homecoming former Rangers boss Imama Amapakabo would have hoped for, especially after he side took the lead. But the Warriors have now lost their last four matches in the league and could find themselves in relegation trouble once again.
In Jigawa, Joseph Atule handed Katsina United the only away win of the day after he scored the only goal of the game in a 0-1 win, while Sunshine Stars defeated Wikki Tourist 1-0 in Akure.
WK 30 FULL RESULTS
Rivers Utd 3-1 Plateau Utd
Enyimba FC 1-1 Warri Wolves
Ifeanyi Ubah 3-0 Adamawa Utd
MFM FC 2-1 Kano Pillars
Jigawa Golden Stars 0-1 Katsina Utd
Rangers Int’l 2-1 Abia Warriors
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Wikki Tourist
Lobi Stars 3-0 Heartland FC