Kwara Utd Win At Katsina Utd, Nasarawa Edge 8 Goal Thriller Vs Abia Warriors

Michael Ohanu’s last gasp winner ensured Kwara United won at Katsina United to remain top of the Nigeria Professional Football League after matchday 18 on Sunday.

Ohanu scored in the 6th minute of added time to claim all three points for a jubilant Kwara United who had taken a 5th minute lead through Nafiru Afees only for Sani Faisal to draw the home side level in the 31st minute.

Katsina United remain mired in relegation trouble in 18th place following the loss.

Elsewhere, Silas Nwankwo scored a hat-trick as Nasarawa United edged an eight-goal thriller to condemn visitors Abia Warriors to a first defeat in nine games at the Lafia Township Stadium.

Both sides traded leads to enter the interval level at 2-2 with Ikenna Offor and Nwankwo scoring for the hosts and Fatai Abdullahi from the spot and Godwin Obaje responding for the visitors.

Nwankwo extended Nasarawa’s lead two minutes after the break and Chinedu Ohanachom made it 4-2 eleven minutes later before Abdullahi brought the visitors within one goal of the hosts with his second of the game but Nwankwo completed his treble soon after to make the game safe for the hosts.

The win lifts Nasarawa United to third in the table on 30 points while a first reversal in nine games sees Abia Warriors drop to 11th.

Second-placed Kano Pillars required two penalties – the second five minutes into added time – to see off 10-man Heartland FC at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Chidera Eze put the visitors ahead in the 38th minute before old warhorse Rabiu Ali drew Pillars level in first-half added time. Shedrack Oghali saw red for the visitors in the 81st minute before David Ebuka won it for the hosts five minutes into added time with another penalty.

Mfon Udoh grabbed a first-half brace and Nwani Ikechukwu was also on target in the opening period as Akwa United made light work of Lobi Stars who also had Mustapha Aliko sent off for two yellow cards in Uyo.

Kennedy Boboye’s side who are now unbeaten in seven games and have lost just once in their last ten matches move up to third, one point off the top with one game in hand while Lobi are 10th.

Oche Ochowechi and Daniel Itodo scored either side of Godspower Aniefiok’s equaliser as Plateau United edged Rangers in Jos. Rangers drop out of the top four to fifth with the loss while Plateau move up to ninth.

Godwin Aguda’s strike was enough to ensure fifth-placed Rivers United extended struggling Sunshine Stars’ miserable run of form to 11 games without a win.

Uche Ihuarulam, Eru Jackson, Emeka Uzor all scored as Warri Wolves won for the first time in seven games with a 3-1 defeat of visiting FC Ifeanyiubah who’s run now stands at six games without a win.

Wolves climb out of relegation waters with the win and are now 16th while FC Ifeanyiubah stay second bottom.

2020-21 NPFL MD18 Results

Akwa United 3-0 Lobi Stars

Rivers United 1-0 Sunshine Stars

Plateau United 2-1 Rangers

Nasarawa United 5-3 Abia Warriors

Katsina United 1-2 Kwara United

Adamawa United 0-0 Wikki Tourists

Kano Pillars 2-1 Heartland FC

Warri Wolves 3-1 FC Ifeanyiubah