NPFL: Akwa Utd continue impressive unbeaten run
Akwa United Football Club of Uyo on Sunday extended their unbeaten run in the 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to six games.
This was after they were held to a 2-2 draw by hosts Gombe United in a rescheduled fixture at the Pantami Stadium.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of five matches were played on Sunday in the league, with three in Group A and two in Group B.
Musa Usman gave the home team the lead from a long range effort four minutes before the half hour mark.
Substitute Emmanuel Charles restored parity for the visitors 12 minutes later when he nodded the ball home from a tight angle.
Akwa United took the lead for the first time in the game when Mfon Udoh headed the ball home six minutes from time.
Udoh has now scored seven goals for the “Promise Keepers” in 10 league outings this season.
Gombe United however rallied back to earn a share of the spoils with Usman Musa converting from the penalty kick spot two minutes from time.
The result meant Akwa United, with 15 points from nine games, moved a step up from fourth to third position on the NPFL Group B table.
Gombe United, still languishing at the bottom of the table, maintained their 11th spot.
Kada City also defeated visiting Yobe Desert Stars of Damaturu 2-1 in another rescheduled game in Kaduna.
Kabiru Sanusi gave Kada City the lead with a firm header from close range in the 18th minute.
Philip Auta levelled scores for Yobe Desert Stars with a well-placed header to a delightful cross from Chinedu Solomon three minutes after the break.
Kabir Sarki got the winner for the hosts from a header two minutes before the end of the game.
The Kaduna-based clubside leap-frogged from the bottom of the table to 10th position, while Yobe Desert Stars replaced them at the bottom of the NPFL Group B log.
At the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu, Remo Stars defeated hard-fighting Wikki Tourists of Bauchi 2-1.
Lanre Runsewe put Remo Stars ahead in the 20th minute after he was set up by Dare Sokunbi.
Isa Gata equalised for Wikki Tourists nine minutes before the break, when he nodded home Ahmed Jimoh’s cross.
Remo Stars captain Victor Mbaoma netted the winning goal for his side from the penalty kick spot a minute before time.
The result saw Remo Stars move to the 10th spot from the bottom of the table, while Wikki Tourists maintained their eighth position on the 12-club NPFL Group A log.
In Makurdi, champions Lobi Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Katsina United.
Martins Usule volleyed home in the 12th minute to hand Kastina United the lead in the keenly-contested encounter.
The hosts levelled scores from the penalty kick spot in the 68th minute, awarded after substitute Stephen Micheal was fouled in the box.
The result saw Katsina United with nine points from six games played, and they moved a step from eighth to seventh.
Lobi Stars who have played only four games so far due to their involvement in continental club competition moved a step to the 11th spot on the Group A log.
Bendel Insurance and former champions Enyimba International Football Club of Aba battled to a 0-0 draw at the University of Benin Sports Complex.
Enyimba, with 14 points from nine games played, maintained their second spot on the NPFL Group A log.
The Benin-based Insurance, with eight points from eight games, moved a step upwards from 10th to ninth position.