By Toby Prince
Enyimba FC of Aba fought spiritedly to sustain their Glo Premier League title intent with a deserved 2-1 win over visiting Shooting Stars of Ibadan to move five points clear of closest rivals, Warri Wolves.
Captain Chinedu Udoji’s header, 15 minutes to time, made the difference between the sides, after Ajani Ibrahim had stunned the home fans in the 56th minute. The six times champions had taken the lead earlier through Musa Najare on the 14th minute.
The victory takes the Aba side to 61 points, five and six points above second and third placed Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourist who dropped vital points away from home.
While the People’s Elephant were cruising to victory, title rivals, Wolves, Tourist and Sunshine Stars all had a terrible day at the office.
Defending champions Kano Pillars dimmed the stars of Sunshine as they overcame the Akure side 2-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano while Rangers International and Wolves shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
Fresh from his hat-trick last weekend, Gbolahan Salami scored his fourth goal in seven-days to give Wolves the lead in the thirteenth minute before Osas Okoro levelled for the host 10 minutes before the hour mark.
Elsewhere, Sharks continued their quest for Premier League survival thus moving four points above the drop with an emphatic 2-0 win over title hopefuls, Wiki.
Giant killers, Nasarawa United, continued their impressive run on the road with a 2-1 victory over Bayelsa United while Lobi Stars survived a late scare from visiting Kwara United to clinch an impressive 2-1 win at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
Players of El-Kanemi Warriors did not travel for their tie with FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Nnewi in protest over unpaid wages.
Club Chairman, Zanna Mohammed, lamented: It is true we did not make the trip, the players are insisting that they will not make the trip unless they are paid despite our pleas to them.”
The club could be fined N10million by the League Management Company as well as being walked over thereby losing three points and three goals.
Matchday 33 results
Kano Pillars 2-1 Sunshine
Enyimba 2-1 Shooting Stars
Rangers 1-1 Warri Wolves
Sharks 2-0 Wikki Tourists
Akwa Utd 1-0 Abia Warriors
Giwa 1-0 Dolphins
Taraba 1-0 Heartland
Lobi 2-1 Kwara Utd
Bayelsa 1-2 Nasarawa
