Lobi Stars of Makurdi edged Sporting Lagos FC 1-0 at the Lafia Township Stadium on Sunday to cling on to the top spot on the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
This was courtesy of a goal from an unlikely source, Sunday Chukwu, in the 29th minute of the closely fought matchday eight encounter.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that victory for Lobi Stars took their points tally to 17, two clear of Remo Stars, who trounced Gombe United 4-0 in Ikenne.
Remo currently stay second, albeit with a game in hand.
Alimi Sikiru opened the scoring in the 27th minute, as the Sky-Blues put Gombe United to the sword, whose last trip to the South West also ended in a rout.
This was after they were thrashed 0-3 by 3SC of Ibadan on matchday six.
Meanwhile, a late goal by Mohammed Alao ensured that Kwara United denied ten-man 3SC what would have been their fourth road win in the NPFL, this season.
The Oluyole Warriors were first to score through captain Malomo Ayodeji in the 44th minute.
Unfortunately he was sent-off within 60 seconds of the opener, against the Afonja Warriors, as the duel ended 1-1 at the Ilorin Sports Complex.
Nonetheless, Shooting Stars stayed fourth, on 14 points, same as Enugu Rangers who are third by virtue of superior goals difference.
They needed a goal in stoppage time, from Jonas Emmanuel to force a 2-2 draw against Sunshine Stars, in Akure.
Like all other games this season, the Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored Flying Antelopes are the only side to have scored in every match this season.
They were in front as early as the eight minute, through veteran forward, Godwin Onaje.
All four goals, including an own goal by Ogu Jerry, at the New Jos Stadium were scored in the first half.
This was as Plateau United extended their good run of form by thrashing Abia Warriors 3-1, to climb to fifth on the table.
Four-time champions, Kano Pillars compounded the woes of stuttering Enyimba of Aba, with a 1-0 victory, courtesy a 71-minute winner by Abba Adam.
The Sai-Masugida thus moved level on 12 points with Abia Warriors and Bendel Insurance on the log; while the defending champions are 17th with seven points, and two outstanding games.
Bendel Insurance earned their second straight draw after holding Niger Tornadoes of Minna goalless at the ABS Stadium in Kaduna.
It was a result that left the Ikon Allah Boys, one spot above the drop zone, with with eight points, after eight games.
The struggles for Rivers United this season also continued as Saleh Monsour scored two minutes after the break.
The result was a well deserved victory for the promoted Katsina United side at the Mohammadu Dikko Stadium, in the North West.
NAN also reports that match week eight fixtures will be concluded on Wednesday when Bayelsa United host winless Heartland FC of Owerri at the Samson Siasia Stadium, in Yenagoa.
On Saturday, Nelson Abiam scored the match winner as Doma United FC edged Fatai Osho’s Akwa United 1-0 at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
The victory saw the Savannah Tigers climb to seventh on the log temporarily, with 11 points.
But following the conclusion of eight more fixtures on Sunday, Doma United dropped to 10th, with a game in hand against Enyimba of Aba.
While Akwa United are languishing on the 18th spot, with seven points from eight games played so far. (NAN)