Football
Dami Ugbane, Special to ESPN 7y

NPFL wrap: Plateau miss a golden chance

Plateau United failed to capitalise on MFM's slip up, while Enugu Rangers made it three wins on the trot.

Akwa United 2 Lobi Stars 1
First half goals from Musa Newman and Gabriel Okechukwu secured third-place Akwa a win against Stars on Friday, a triumph which only just keeps them ahead of Enyimba. Ifeanyi's corner was met by the head of Newman in the 20th minute, before Newman turned provider for Okechukwu, who rounded goalkeeper Okiemute Odah to net just before the break. Kingsley Eduwo pulled a goal back for Stars four minutes later; his 13th of the campaign.

Plateau United 1 Rivers United 1
Coach Kennedy Boboye must be cursing his luck after Plateau could only manage a home draw against 12th-placed Rivers, when a win would have put them within touching distance of a maiden league title. Emeka Ogbugh gave the visitors a shock lead in the 14th minute, after which a succession of brilliant saves from goalkeeper Rotimi Sunday, the woodwork and a missed Emma James penalty frustrated the home fans. However, Peter Eneji's 25-yard shot on 89 minutes eventually got the leveller for the leaders.

Abia Warriors 1 MFM FC 0
Arinze Nwangwu's 67th-minute winner handed Warriors maximum points, and put a huge dent in MFM FC's title hopes. It was a toothless performance from the visitors, who hardly troubled Warriors' defence.

Enyimba 4 Wikki Tourists 0
Enyimba ran riot at home to Wikki, scoring four unanswered goals as their late rally to secure a CAF Confederation Cup ticket sees them go level on points and goal-difference with third-placed Akwa United. First half strikes from Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Stephen Chukwude and Chinonso Okonkwo was followed by Stanley Dimgba's 75th-minute strike, a result which sinks Wikki into the drop zone.

Remo Stars 1 Enugu Rangers 2
Relegated Remo Stars's free fall continued on Sunday with yet another home loss, this time to Enugu Rangers. Bobby Clement's brace in either half handed the outgoing champions a comfortable lead, before Akeem Taiwo pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 58th minute. The first away win of the season moves Rangers into eighth place, impressively finishing the season strongly with 13 points from their last five games.

El Kanemi Warriors 1 Shooting Stars 1
Stars were handed a massive lifeline in their relegation fight thanks to a priceless away draw against Warriors. Babangida Ibrahim missed an early penalty, but made amends when he handed the hosts a 48th-minute lead. Abayomi Adebayo levelled for the visitors right at the death to move Stars out of the drop zone into 16th place.

Katsina United 2 Sunshine Stars 0
Chinedu Udechukwu scored a pair of penalty kicks to secure a vital home win for Katsina. The result represents a major setback for Stars in their survival fight as they dropped to 15th place, while Katsina are almost guaranteed safety.

Nasarawa United 1 Kano Pillars 0
Adamu Hassan's brilliant headed goal a minute into first-half stoppage-time secured maximum points for Nasarawa; a result which moves the Solid Miners into sixth place. Pillars rarely troubled the hosts, save for Nyima Nwagua's 88th-minute header which almost secured a share of the spoils.

Gombe United 2 ABS FC 1
Gombe United secured the win in the relegation six-pointer against ABS FC, a victory which extends their place in the top-flight for at least another matchday. Musa Usman put the hosts in front from the spot 15 minutes into the game, but Wasiu Alalade drew the visitors level in the 38th minute. However, Usman completed his brace on the hour-mark to secure a result which leaves 18th-placed ABS FC requiring a miracle to beat the drop.

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