IfeanyiUbah are top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) following a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Plateau United on Wednesday in Nnewi.
The Anambra Warriors were not deterred by the absence of club chairman, Ifeanyi Ubah, who served the first of a 10-game stadium ban imposed on him by the League Management Company (LMC) for “assaulting” an opposition player.
Pascal Seka scored from the spot after 18 minutes to put the home side in front before Tamen Medrano sealed the game moments later to take Mitko Dobrev’s side to the summit of Nigerian football.
IfeanyiUbah, which started Match Day 10 on 15 points and in third place, leapfrogged Enugu Rangers and Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) FC who could only settle for a 1-1 draw at the Agege Stadium Lagos.
Obinna Nwobodo scored after 36 minutes to stun the home crowd – meaning the Prayer Warriors trailed for the first time at home this season. But they would have Stephen Odey to thank for his volleyed goal on 68 minutes which saved them the blushes of suffering a first-ever top-flight defeat at home.
Abia Warriors’ shock 2-1 victory over Akwa United on the road moved the Umuahia-side to third on the log, two behind IfeanyiUbah and one adrift of Rangers. Ifeanyi Onyedika’s lads produced an unbelievable display at the Nest of Champions to edge the Promise Keepers with Ndifreke Effiong and Anthony Okemmiri cancelled out Kufre Ebong’s early strike.
Sunday Adetunji’s double took 3SC off the bottom-four and piled more misery on struggling new boys Ikorodu United, who have now suffered six league defeats on the bounce.
Rivers United continued their resurgence by edging El-Kanemi Warriors by the odd goal. Nonso Okonkwo netted the winner just after the hour mark as the Port Harcourt side moved into fifth place.
Former champions Kano Pillars suffered a first league defeat to Giwa FC. It ended two-nil with a David Sunday strike and an own goal by Jonathan Zikiye in Jos.
Lobi Stars and Wikki Tourist played out a 1-1 draw in Makurdi. Nanen Imenger’s spectacular overhead kick forced Wikki to share the spoils after Godwin Obaje had netted.
It was a four-goal spectacle at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja where Niger Tornadoes held Sunshine Stars to a 2-2 draw.
Ismaila Gata and Tasiu Lawal scored from spot kicks for Tornadoes while Okiki Afolabi and Dele Olorundare got Sunshine Stars’ goals.
Full Match Day 10 results
MFM FC 1-1 Rangers
IfeanyiUbah 2-0 Plateau United
Rivers United 1-0 El-Kanemi
Niger Tornadoes 2-2 Sunshine Stars
Lobi 1-1 Wiki Tourist
3SC 2-0 Ikorodu FC
Giwa FC 2-0 Kano Pillars
