A Chukwuemeka Obioma-inspired Abia Warriors were too hot for former champions Kano Pillars to handle in Week 15 of the NPFL21 on Sunday
Obioma scored two (2) goals and assisted another as Warriors produced a remarkable performance to thrash Pillars 4-1 at the Umuahia Township stadium in Umuahia, Abia State.
Before kickoff, Football411 did list this particular game as one of three (3) matches expected to excite NPFL21 followers and fans and it lived up to the pre-match hype with a five-goal thriller.
The home side dominated proceedings from start to finish but the game remained opened at the break following a 2-1 scoreline, with the Warriors ahead.
Obioma set up veteran Godwin Obaje for the opener and his fifth of the season on 21 minutes before he doubled their lead 12 minutes later.
However, their two goal lead lasted just three minutes as Pillars powerful forward, Nyima Nwangwa pulled one back for Sai Masu Gida to ensure a pulsating second half, or so everyone thought.
After the break, with the visitors looking for the equaliser, it was Warriors who found the next goal and that man, Obioma completed his brace to restore their two goal lead.
With seven minutes left to play, Daniel Wotlai made sure all three points remained in Umuahia as he added a fourth goal to seal the win.
A dominant display from Imama Amapakabo’s boys, which sees them extend their unbeaten run to five (5) matches, with the latest win moving them into the top half of the table for the first time this season.
Warriors are now 10th with 20 points, just four (4) below their defeated visitors, Pillars, who are fourth on the log.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, in another match predicted by Football411 to produce excitement, it was another 5-goal thriller but this time in the city of Makurdi, home of Lobi Stars.
The Stars defeated Plateau United in what was easily one of the games of the season as the duo of Austine Ogunye and Mohammed Zulkilful turned it into a competition for who would score the most goals.
Both players scored a brace each but Ogunye and Lobi Stars had the last and longest laugh courtesy of a 3-2 home win.
The home side looked very comfortable at first after taking a 3-0 lead in the opening 65 minutes, but an incredible late fight back from United nearly turned the game on its head.
However, despite his best efforts, Zulkilful’s goals were a bit late as Stars held on for a valuable win to bounce back to winning ways and also putting an end to United’s four match unbeaten.
On the log, Lobi have opened a three point gap between them and United courtesy of that win, they sit ninth on 22 points, while Plateau United are 12th on 19 points.
Rangers International are quietly doing the business after another hard-fought and narrow win.
The Flying Antelopes defeated bottom club, Adamawa United 1-0 thanks to a late Eziekwe Chinonso’s 84th minute winner.
Dakkada and Wikki Tourist also picked up narrow 1-0 wins over Katsina United and Warri Wolves respectively.
Full Results
Abia Warriors 4-1 Kano Pillars
Dakkada FC 1-0 Katsina United
FC Ifeanyiubah 0-0 Rivers United
Kwara United 0-0 Heartland
Lobi Stars 3-2 Plateau United
Rangers Int’l 1-0 Adamawa United
Wikki Tourists 1-0 Warri Wolves