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Akwa United preserved their lead at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League table thanks to an away draw in Nnewi, while closet challengers Plateau United lost in Kano on match-day 6. FC Ifeanyi Ubah 1-1 Akwa United Akwa United impressively maintained their lead in the standings thanks to an away draw against FC Ifeanyi Ubah, who are now winless in three successive league matches and dropped to 11th on the table. The match was evenly balanced for much of the contest, but Akwa United could have emerged victorious late on had Victor Mbaoma managed to squeeze his shot past goalkeeper Drissa Bamba. The Promise Keepers stunned their hosts when Cyril Olisema handed Akwa the lead in the 12th-minute. However, Patrick Ikeokwu levelled for FC Ifeanyi Ubah in the second half, securing Akwa a first-ever away point in Nnewi. Kano Pillars 2-0 Plateau United Junior Lokosa hit a brace for Kano Pillars as they inflicted a second defeat of the season on Plateau United to move into third place. Lokosa, whose run of four successive league goals was halted at the weekend, returned to his best form, scoring twice within the space of six first-half minutes to take his tally to six goals for the season. The champions lost Tosin Omoyele to injury early in the second period, and were restricted by the Pillars defence marshalled by Chinedu Udoji and Emmanuel Anyawu, as they failed to score in a second successive league game. Enyimba 1- 0 Abia Warriors Enyimba earned the bragging rights in the derby against Abia Warriors thanks to a late Stanley Dimgba winner, which continued the resurgence of the seventh-place People's Elephant. Dimgba had been the most threatening player as he earlier hit a fierce shot against the woodwork. However, he was on the score-sheet for a second successive game, curling in a delightful 70th-minute free-kick which inflicted a third away loss of the season on Abia Warriors. MFM 2-1 Wikki Tourists MFM FC dug deep to earn a home win against Wikki Tourists; a win which moved the team out of the relegation spot and into ninth-place. Waheed Adebayo gave the hosts an early lead before Nafiu Kabuga equalised for Wikki Tourists nine minutes later. Jesse Akila then hit the winner for a below-par MFM, who must improve in subsequent games if they are to challenge. Sunshine Stars 1-0 El-Kanemi Warriors Sunshine Stars continued their strong start to the league season with a narrow home win against El-Kanemi Warriors which takes them up to fourth-place. Kehinde Adedipe was the difference with his 26th-mimute goal, inflicting a third defeat on the Warriors which sees them desperately seeking the return of coach Imama Amapakabo, who is away on national team duty in Morocco. Yobe Desert Stars 1-0 Katsina United Chinedu Ohanachom scored his fourth league goal to extend Yobe Desert Stars' 100 percent home record this season against Katsina United. Despite been tipped as possible strugglers this season, the Damaturu-based team have climbed highest of the newly promoted teams, impressively sitting sixth on the log.
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