Wikki Tourists Stun FC IfeanyiUbah to Claim Top Spot

FC Taraba’s Chinedu Ohanechom (right) and Moses James of 3SC battling for ball during their Match Day 14 clash in the Glo Premier League at the weekend, Photo: Courtesy LMC Media

GLO PREMIER LEAGUE

Wikki Tourists continued their fine run of form stunning fellow top four sides, FC IfeanyiUbah 1-0 on their home ground at Rojenny Stadium in Oba to go top of the log on 27 points from 14 matches and easily claim the headline news for Match Day 14 of the Glo Premier League sunday.

Chukwudi Samuel struck on 77 minute for the visitors, the first goal conceded at home by FC IfeanyUbah and which also turned out their first home defeat since ascending the elite league after ten years as Gabros International in the lower leagues reports www.npfl.ng.

Another interesting result came out of Kano where the champions, Kano Pillars let go a 2-0 lead as Dolphins battled back to claim a point at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

The cup holders were in front after 18 minutes when Eneji Otekpa fired a free kick from outside the box that was poorly blocked by goalkeeper Godwin Ayalogu only for a free Adamu Mohommed to tap in gently.

Just two minutes into the second half, Pillars doubled their lead off a superb finish by Godspower Aniefiok and it looked like Dolphins perennial poor results in Kano will be extended.

The 2011 champions then dug deep and battled back with their Ghanaian import, Godbless Asamoah pulling one back on 47th minute. The goal was like a whiff of blood for the hound as defender Jonathan Zikiye surged forward to grab the equaliser and silence the vociferous Kano fans on the stands.

Pillars remained stagnant on 7th place on the log with 22 points from 14 games.

Enyimba won 2-0 at home to Nasarawa United with new boy, Christian Obiozor continuing his scoring art having been cleared after the Match Day 10 break. Bassey Ezekiel made a lovely run down the left and cut back to set up the former Rangers man 12 minutes into the game. Ezekiel was on hand again to provide for Ifeanyi George for the Peoples’ Elephants the insurance goal on 62nd minute.

Enyimba climbed to third place but on same 26 points with Sunshine Stars, 1-0 losers to Rangers International at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. Alex Emenike got the lone goal for the Flying Antelopes volleying from outside the box on 15th minute to beat goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

In Makurdi, Lobi Stars raced to their third win in 14 games with first half goals started on the fifth minute by penalty scoring goalkeeper, Terkaa Melai who converted yet again from the spot against Abia Warriors.

Gbadebo Samson headed in the second goal 34 minutes into the game for Lobi Stars to move three places up the log to 13th.
It was also a third win of the season for Bayelsa United as they shut apart Kwara United 2-0 courtesy goals from the penalty spot on 36th minute by Alex Oghogho and a second goal by Festus Ajak on 60th minute.

But the club which plays at the Oghara Township Stadium in neighbouring Delta State still stayed amongst the ‘bottom four’ with `four points.

Giwa FC moved two places up to 4th place following a 3-1 win over El-Kanemi Warriors at their new ground in Kaduna. Giwa scored as early as the 2nd minute through Ocheme Edoh to establish dominance in the game while the other two goals from Saleh Mohammed (14th) and Ibrahim Shuaib (28). Bukar Bamai pulled a consolatory effort on 75th minute for the visitors.

In other results, Heartland’s Bright Ejike moved ahead on the scorers’ log with his eight goal of the season, scoring with a low header on 18th minute in Port Harcourt against Sharks in a rain-soaked encounter.

The Blue Angels threw in all their might and succeeded in restoring parity through Fortune Omoniwari on 72nd minute. It was a face-saver for Sharks, only bailed out from their financial hassles midweek by the new administration in the state.

Gbolahan Salami scored again on his return to the ultra-modern Uyo International Stadium aka Nest of Champions.

This time, starring for his club, Warri Wolves, the burly forward cracked home the opening goal of the match on 76th minute off an assist from Stanley Dimgba but the Promise Keepers would not start off their campaign at the new stadium on a losing note as Abdilazeez Awakan latched on to a mishit clearance to chest down and slam into goal from 16 yards.

Earlier on Saturday, Shooting Stars shared points in Makurdi with hosts FC Taraba. Ivorian Boris Konan put the hosts ahead after 60 minutes and Coach Gbenga Ogunbote’s three match undefeated run was extended by Muyiwa Lawal from a well measured free kick with three minutes of play left.