Samuel Kalu’s 15th-minute spot kick was enough to end the longest unbeaten run in Nigerian top-flight history as home side Katsina United squeezed past leaders Akwa United on a day of few goals in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
Akwa United last lost a league game in February, when they were pipped 2-1 at Nasarawa United on Valentine’s Day. The Promise Keepers thereafter embarked on a run of 17 games without defeat, a top-flight record that came to an end in the 1-0 loss at Katsina United on matchday 29.
The loss means Akwa United’s lead at the top has been cut to one point after second-placed Nasarawa United and third-placed Kano Pillars both won to move to 52 points each with both sides separated by goals difference.
David Ebuka’s early goal helped Kano Pillars to a 1-0 victory against visiting FC Ifeanyiubah at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, while Chigozie Obasi and Tochukwu Udeh scored for Nasarawa United in their 2-1 win against Rivers United in Lafia with Godwin Aguda scoring from the spot for the visitors.
Dakkada FC grabbed a second straight win on the road with a 1-0 victory at Abia Warriors with Isaac George’s 76th-minute goal condemning Imama Amapakabo’s side to a third loss on the spin.
Guda Mohammed’s first half penalty saw Wikki Tourist past Lobi Stars and Christian Nnaji’s second half effort earned Rangers a 1-0 win at Warri Wolves for the second away win of the weekend.
Timothy Danladi saw a late red as Enyimba held Plateau United in Jos while Kwara United got the better of Sunshine Stars in Jos courtesy of Michael Ohanu’s 6th-minute goal.
A bad-tempered affair in Owerri between Heartland FC and MFM ended with three red cards as Chidera Ezeh who opened scoring for the hosts in the 6th-minute was sent off in the 76th minute and the visitors’ Adeniyi Bamidele and Chuks Kenedium joining him in getting an early bath.
Kingsley Maduforo added a late second for the Naze Millionaires in the sixth minute of added time to give head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu a 2-0 victory against his former side.
