Rivers United continued their impressive start to the campaign as they maintained their hold at top of the table with a 3-0 demolition of Kwara United who had two players sent off in Port Harcourt.

Stanley Eguma’s men had already dispatched Rangers and Abia Warriors in their opening matches and made it three wins on the bounce as they scored more than one goal for the first time this season.

Ifeanyi Anaemena opened the floodgates with his first goal for Rivers United since his move from Enyimba in the off-season, taking advantage of goalkeeper Abdullateef Ishola indecision to head into an empty net in the 32nd minute. Anaemena first goal

Godwin Aguda made it 2-0 just a minute later and the shell-shocked visitors saw their predicament worsen after they were reduced to nine-men in the second half.

Nasiru Afees received a straight red in the 77th minute for a horrible foul and Ejeh Isaiah joined him in getting an early bath after he handled in the box with Chika Godwin burying the resultant penalty in added time.

Kano Pillars are still unbeaten but were denied what would have been an impressive victory at Nasarawa United after the hosts found a late equaliser.

Striker Nyima Nwagua came off the bench in his appearance of the season to give Pillars a 48th minute lead but the hosts struck back through Adamu Hassan with eight minutes to go to ensure a share of the spoils at the Lafia Township Stadium.

Nasarawa United drop points for the first time this season but stay second on the log while Pillars are ninth with five points.

A Rasheed Ahmed double ensured Katsina United bounced back from defeat to Kano Pillars to beat winless Adamawa United 2-0 to move up to sixth.

Dakkada FC moved up to third with 1-0 win at FC Ifeanyiubah courtesy of Nnamdi Mejuobi’s 29th minute winner and Rangers also secured a win away from home as Israel Abia’s 79th minute winner against Jigawa Golden Stars lifted the Flying Antelopes to 8th.

Nabil Yarou scored on his debut to give Enyimba a narrow 1-0 win over 17th placed Wikki Tourists in Aba. The win moves Enyimba, who have a game in hand, to 5th on the log.

Plateau United scored their first goals of the season against crisis-ridden Heartland FC which continued their miserable start to the season as they slumped to a third straight defeat at the Jos Township Stadium.

Both teams were in search of their first wins of the campaign and Plateau United were yet to find the net in all four of their games this season both in the league and on the continent.

But they found willing pasties in bottom side Heartland, ravaged by off-field problems to claim their first three points of the season and move up to 10th on the log.

Muhammadu Zulkifilu gave the hosts an 18th minute lead with a header and Amos Gyan doubled their lead from the spot after he’d been fouled by Francis Benjamin.

Jesse Akila then scored a late third to ensure all three points for Abdu Maikaba’s men, a result that leaves Fidelis Ilechukwu in a precarious position.

Ossy Martins scored the quickest goal of the 2020-21 NPFL season, taking just 35 seconds to open scoring as Lobi Stars routed Warri Wolves 3-0 in Makurdi.

Despite the scoreline, the home side were indebted to goalkeeper Aliko Mustapha who ensured they kept the lead when he saved Wisdom Jumbo’s 61st minute spot kick.

The save proved a turning point as Lobi Stars added two more goals through Mathias Samuel from a direct free kick and Chinonso Okoro in added time.

Elsewhere, MFM came out tops in the Southwest Derby, Dennis Obasi’s early goal giving them a narrow win over Sunshine Stars at the Agege Township Stadium.

The hosts lived dangerously towards the end and the visitors were unlucky to leave without a point as they twice came close to an equaliser late on and saw an effort rebound off the goalpost in added time.

The win, MFM’s second at home moves Tony Bolus’ side up to seventh while Gbenga Ogunbote’s wards are 15th.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Akwa United beat Abia Warriors who remain without a win after three games. Ndifreke Effiong scored either side of Ibukun Harrison’s equaliser to give the home side all three points.

NPFL 2020-21 MD3 Results

Plateau United 3-0 Heartland (Muhammadu Zulkifilu 19’, Amos Gyang 55’ (PEN), Jesse Akila 60’)

FC Ifeanyiubah 0-1 Dakkada (Nnamdi Mejuobi 29’)

Rivers United 3-0 Kwara United (Ifeanyi Anaemena 32’, Godwin Aguda 33’, Chika Godwin 90’ (PEN))

Nasarawa United 1-1 Kano Pillars (Adamu Hassan 83’ – Nyima Nwagua 48’)

Enyimba 1-0 Wikki Tourists (Nabil Yarou 24’)

FC Ifeanyiubah 0-1 Dakkada FC (Nnamdi Mejuobi 29’)

Jigawa Golden Stars 0-1 Rangers (Israel Abia 79’)

Katsina United 2-0 Adamawa United (Rasheed Ahmed 42’, 74’)

MFM 1-0 Sunshine Stars (Dennis Obasi 7’)

Akwa United 2-1 Abia Warriors (Ndifreke Effiong 6′, 59′ (PEN) – Ibukun Harrison 27′)