Goal Rush In Jalingo Headlines Match Day 8

Dramatic  goals, a squandered opportunity to shake-off a draw specialist tag, distinguished guests at match venues and tenacity of a fledgling club, keeping its bogey status against six-time champions, highlighted match-day 8 of the Glo Premier League yesterday reports www.npfl.ng 

Sunshine Stars made the most of the day winning 2-0 in the charged South West Derby against the Oluyole Warriors and going tops of the table for the first time in two seasons. Again, it was Tunji Adeniji, the hero from their 3-0 routing of Heartland in Owerri that opened the scoring on 60th minute while Dele Olorundare consolidated with the second goal seven minutes after.

The Akure Club, at 16 points after eight games displace Giwa FC who picked a draw in Aba for the second season running after a nil all score line to move to 15 points. The Jos Elephants thwarted all that six-time champion, Enyimba threw at them including making 100 per cent substitution to keep their undefeated record in two seasons against the former champions.

Money-bag, Ifeanyi Ubah made the trip to Jalingo with Gabros FC and he left the agrarian state capital with lots of goal moments to cheer after the fixture ended a six-goal thriller. It was the Nnewi boys that drew the first blood off  Oluchukwu Nwosu eleven minutes into the encounter  at the Jolly Nyame Stadium. Mohammed Abdulmalik waited only five minutes to bring the hosts back into the game but Abuchi Okereke will restore Gabros in front again on 30th minute, hitting a pile driver from outside the 18 yard box.

The end to end exchange continued with Nigeria’s Olympic team captain, Usman Mohammed bringing the game again on even keel, putting away a free kick on 33 minutes.

One minute into the second half, the hosts took the lead for the first time through Chinedum Ohanachom but their joy was short-lived after nine minutes when Gabros came back to level off an own goal. Thereafter, the exchange remained even with each side seeking to exploit openings to claim the three points to no avail.

Goal Rains in Warri

The rains poured down in torrents in Warri and forced the host team to seek mechanical solution to drain the flood off the pitch before they took on Nasarawa United whose coach, Baba Ganaru was quite boastful hours before the game. The rain of water heralded a flood of goals though scaled against the visitors.

Super Eagles forward, Gbolahan Salami kept up his scoring form when he warmed up to the game early after the downpour to superbly finish a combination with Freedom  Omofoman on 20th minute. And just two minutes after, another Super Eagles fringe player, Oghenekaro Etebo converted from the spot  to give the continental campaigners a two-goal cushion.

The day was made memorable for Wolves fans and Joseph Eyimofe as he netted his first goal in three years for the Seasiders to compound the woes of the visitors who were to nick a consolatory goal through Esosa Igbinoba on 61 minutes. Wolves added one more goal to climb to 11th place from 14th but with two games in hand.

Goals, Goals also in Oghara

In the South-South Derby, Bayelsa United were stunned by their visitors, Dolphins who took the lead at the Oghara Township Stadium after 33 minutes with Emeka Atuloma guiding the ball into an empty net. Ghanaian import, Eric Frimpong restored parity for the hosts only for Chidiebere Okolie to put Dolphins ahead on 65 minutes. On 83rdminute, Bayelsa United drew level thanks to Uchechukwu Onyedikachi who cut in and let fly from 25 yards. His effort took a wicked deflection and wrong footed Anyalogu to sail into the net.

Draw Specialists

Lobi Stars made it four straight home draws at Aper Aku Stadium where they returned after three seasons in Katsina Ala and the high point of their endless draw episode on this Match Day was a penalty miss by John Huan on 48 minute as El-Kanemi Warriors picked their first draw of the season on the road. Lobi Stars remain rooted on the 20th position with six points from eight games. Lobi had picked two other draws on the road against Bayelsa United and FC Taraba.

Resurrection for Champions

Defending champions, Kano Pillars shook off their three match consecutive defeats on the road to bring respite to Coach Okey Emordi as they pounded Sharks 2-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Azeez Sobowale turned out the man of the match providing the two goals, first, an assist for Ezekiel Mbah on 50th minute and another for Adamu Hassan on 83 minutes sunk Sharks to their third defeat in eight games.

Winning for Bosso

In Umuahia, Abia Warriors paid tribute to the memory of the late wife of their coach, Ladan Bosso as they turned back Kwara United 2-0. Ifeanyi Onyeali scored first after 16 minutes and Chisom Chikatara followed with the consolidation goal seven minutes into the second period, his third this season.

Rangers vs Heartland

Rangers reigned victorious in the Oriental Derby piping Heartland 1-0 off a classy strike on 62ndminute by Oloriode Odah. From the left side of defense, Odah looped above goalkeeper David Obiozo to make  up for his earlier wacky miss from five yards. Odah only needed a tap in but the ball bounced off the top of his foot to fly over the cross bar.

In other results, Akwa United were held 0-0 by Wikki Tourists in Uyo.