23rd April, 2018
Lobi Stars Football Club on Sunday underlined their 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title credentials by edging a tightly-contested encounter against 10-man visiting Kano Pillars 1-0 in Makurdi.
Ayo Saka scored the winning goal nine minutes from time at the Aper Aku Stadium, nodding home Ebube Duru’s cross.
Kano Pillars were reduced to 10 men a minute before the hosts scored the opening goal, with left-back Chris Madaki receiving the marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Solomon Ogbeide’s men now sit at the top of the standings with 33 points, six more than second-placed Katsina United who beat visiting El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
Destiny Ashadi’s 53rd minute penalty kick gave the hosts the maximum points in the game.
At the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna, Niger Tornadoes extended their unbeaten streak to eight games by beating Yobe Desert Stars 1-0.
Andrew Ikefe scored the goal in the last minute of added time as Tornadoes leapt to third on the NPFL log with 27 points.
The Desert Stars slipped to the ninth position on the log.
In Uyo, Akwa United bounced back from their exit from the CAF Confederation Cup to edge visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure 2-1.
Ifeanyi Ifeanyi opened scoring for the home team from a free-kick three minutes from half time, while Franklyn Sasere restored parity for Sunshine Stars two minutes after the restart.
However, Victor Mbaoma scored the winner two minutes from time to move the Uyo-based side to fourth, while the Akure-based team slumped to 16th on the log.
Also, Nasarawa United put an end to Abia Warriors’ seven-game unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win at the Lafia Township Stadium.
Shammasu Mohammed scored the decisive goal a minute before the half hour mark as the Lafia-based team moved to 11th on the log with 22 points.
Both sides were only separated by goal difference, with Abia Warriors in 10th.
READ: La Liga: Las Palmas relegated as Betis hold Atletico
In another match day 18 encounter, Kwara United extended their unbeaten run under a new coach to five games after being held to a 1-1 draw by Go Round in Ilorin.
Stephen Alfred put the hosts ahead in the 16th minute, his eighth goal of the campaign.
Azu Chile missed a penalty kick for Go Round in the 53rd minute, but Chidi Nwachukwu ensured they picked their first away point by grabbing the equaliser 14 minutes from time.
Kwara United still languish in the relegation area on 19th position, while Go Round are also at the bottom of the NPFL 20-team log on 17th.
Enyimba held Wikki Tourists to a 0-0 draw at the New Jos Stadium, improving their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games.
The Aba-based clubside are on eight, while the Bauchi-based team are on 15th.
The Oriental derby between hosts FC IfeanyiUbah and Rangers International FC ended in a goalless draw to leave both sides on 12th and seventh respectively.
A total of nine goals were scored in eight matches played on Match Day 18, with five home wins and three draws recorded.
Heartland of Owerri hosts Champions Plateau United, while MFM FC take on Rivers United on Monday.