Veteran forward Akarandut Orok struck his third goal in as many games as Akwa United finally ended second-placed Lobi Stars’ eight match unbeaten run on Matchday 11 of the 2019/2020 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.
Orok whose lone goal decided last week’s Qua-Iboe derby scored the game’s only goal in the 52nd minute at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium as Kennedy Boboye won his third straight game to lift the Promise Keepers to eighth on the log.
Leaders Plateau United suffered a 3-0 humbling in Umuahia as Abia Warriors moved up to fourth on the table.
Emmanuel Ugwuka put the home side ahead in the 28th minute before further strikes from Guy Kuemian in the 83rd minute and Bello Lukman four minutes later put a further gloss on the result.
Rivers United moved into third position on the log following a highly impressive 2-0 victory away at Adamawa United.
Junior Osaghae scored the opener for the visitors in the 25th minute before Malachy Ohawume made sure of the result with a 57th minute effort.
Heartland’s poor form against FC Ifeanyiubah in Nnewi continued with the home side securing a 1-0 victory over the Naze Millionaires courtesy of Samuel Kalu’s 21minute winner.
Two goals either side of half time saw Warri Wolves run out 2-1 winners over Kwara United in Ughelli.
Sunday Williams in the 38th minute and Efe Yahere in the 52nd minute put the hosts two goals up before Alao Danbani pulled one back for the visitors on the 58th minute.
Fuad Ekeleojuoti scored in the fifth minute of added time to spare Sunshine Stars’ blushes in a 1-1 stalemate against visiting Dakkada FC in Akure.
Dakkada, the only team yet to lose an away game this season, looked to be heading for yet another away win after Femi Ajayi put them ahead in the 42nd minute.
Ekeleojuoti, however, popped up to ensure a share of the spoils for the home side when he scrabbled home following a goalmouth melee in added time.
In the day’s final game, Katsina United prevailed 3-2 against Jigawa Golden Stars at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium with striker Tasiu Lawal bagging a brace for the home side.
Jigawa Golden Stars twice pegged back the home side in the first half when Mannir Ubale’s 21st minute penalty cancelled out Lawal’s 15th minute opener and Ali Maro Kallo levelled in the 40th minute after Lukman Mohammed had scored in the 27th minute before Lawal scored his second in the 70th minute.
2019/2020 NPFL Matchday 11 Results
Sunshine Stars 1-1 Dakkada FC
(Fuad Ekelojuoti 90+5’ – Femi Ajayi 42’)
Katsina United 3-2 Jigawa Golden Stars
(Tasiu Lawal 15’, 70’, Lukman Muhammed 27’ – Mannir Ubale 21’ (PEN), Ali Maro Kalla 40’)
Akwa United 1-0 Lobi Stars
(Akarandut Orok 51’)
Adamawa United 0-2 Rivers United
(Junior Osaghae 22’, Malachi Ohawume 86’)
Warri Wolves 2-1 Kwara United
(Sunday Williams 38’, Efe Yarhere 52’ – Alao Danbani 58’)
Abia Warriors 3-0 Plateau United
(Emmanuel Ugwuka 28’, Guy Keumian 82’, Bello Lukman 87’)
FC Ifeanyiubah 1-0 Heartland
(Samuel Kalu 21′)
