Enyimba’s grip on the Nigeria Professional Football League title appear to loosen with each matchday with Fatai Osho’s men now winless in three games after a 2-0 loss at Rangers on Sunday as the second stanza of the 2020-21 NPFL season resumed in a hail of goals.
Twenty-five goals were scored across two matchdays, with two of those coming at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium as Christian Nnaji and Godspower Aniefok both scored second-half spot-kicks to condemn Enyimba to defeat in an Oriental Derby.
The win lifts Rangers to 5th on 35 points while Enyimba who still have two games in hand drop to 7th on 31 points.
Meanwhile, the result of matchday 20 came at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium where Joseph Atule put up a virtuoso showing as Katsina United ran amok demolishing 10-man Wikki Tourists 5-1 to climb out of relegation trouble.
Atule gave his side the lead in the 16th-minute, scoring at the second time of asking after his penalty was saved by Wikki goalie Ibrahim Pius. He then proceeded to lay on assists for Rasheed Ahmed, Samuel Nnoshiri and Samuel Kalu to restore their three goal lead after Stephen Gopey reduced the visitor’s deficit.
Rasheed completed his brace in the second half shortly before Nafizi Yahaya saw red to cap a woeful day at the office for Wikki.
Ibrahim Mustapha’s brace helped Plateau United see off Abia Warriors 2-1 in Jos with Fatai Abdullahi grabbing a consolatory effort for Warriors.
Jide Williams’ early red card for visiting Kwara United contributed to his side’s 2-1 loss at Nasarawa United as they lost their place at the summit.
Jide saw red in the 16th-minute leaving his team to labour with ten men for most of the game, a fact duly exploited by Nasarawa as second-half goals from Anas Yusuf and Silas Nwankwo gave the home side the win despite Wasiu Alalade’s 90th-minute effort for the visitors.
Kwara drop down to 3rd on the log on 36 points, one point behind new leaders Akwa United for whom midfielder Seth Mayi scored his first goal as they beat Sunshine Stars in Uyo.
Mayi’s goal in the 72nd-minute claimed all three points for Kennedy Boboye’s side after the visitors’ Sadeeq Yusuf cancelled out Charles Atshimene’s opener.
Elsewhere, Sunday Adetunji scored for the second straight game as Rivers United climbed to fourth with a 2-0 win against Dakkada FC in Port Harcourt.
Adentunji opened scoring with a sublime effort in the 20th-minute with Paul Acquah heading home Morice Chukwu’s cross twelve minutes later to seal the win for Rivers United who now have 35 points, six more than 9th-placed Dakkada.
Kingsley Maduforo scored an 80th-minute winner to give visiting Heartland FC a hugely impressive win at bottom side Adamawa United.
Kano Pillars’ bid to claim all three points at Warri Wolves was thwarted after Mark Daniels’ penalty six minutes from time cancelled out Auwali Ali Malam’s goal.
Despite the disappointment of losing two points late on, Pillars who had Ndasi Kadiang sent off on the stroke of half time stay joint-top with Akwa United although they have an inferior goals difference.
