I trust pillars, 5-0 awaits them, he who laughs last, laughs best.


Buaaaaaahhaashaghha.

honeric01:

They're winning now and no one's talking about 'home advantage' o. When pillars win @ home, they say it's because they were hostile to their opponent. Anyways it's the end of the season that's going to determine everything.

Oga@thetop.datzall, permit me to say, STFU! Rangers are a good team, as well as Pillars; however, the day went to Rangers.

Let's watch and see the future results!

saintneo:
Oga@thetop.datzall, permit me to say, STFU! Rangers are a good team, as well as Pillars; however, the day went to Rangers.

Let's watch and see the future results!

1st to do no dey pain , so Pillars are not a good team? only rangers are good?

Kano is waiting for you!

honeric01:

1st to do no dey pain , so Pillars are not a good team? only rangers are good?

Kano is waiting for you!

Take it easy honeric.
Pillars arent getting 4 nil against rangers anywhere. Lol

ZUBY77:

Take it easy honeric.
Pillars arent getting 4 nil against rangers anywhere. Lol

I just do not like double standard, if pillars win @ home, they tag it with negative jibes, but if others like heartland/rangers e.t.c win @ home, it's tagged 'good performance'.

I dey watch o... Hehehe

The NPFL is up and running and some players already have stated their intent in clinching the much cherished "highest goal scorers award".
I've gone through many sites looking for scorers table but have found none. Consequently, I decided to go through match day reports from match day 1 to date in different sites like mtnfootball.com, kickoffnigeria.com, goal.com, etc so as to come up with something. the accuracy of this work is put at 80 - 90% and its subject to addition and subtraction (correction). Common guys, lets encourage this work.
We are already in the 9th week.

NAME : CLUB : NO OF GOALS

ISAH AKOR HEARTLAND F.C 6
DELE OLORUNDARE SUNSHINE STARS 6
HARUNA BABALO EL-KANEMI WARRIORS 5
BISHOP ONYEUDO GOMBE UNITED 5
GBOLAHAN SALAMI SHOOTING STARS 4
VICTOR NAMO NASARAWA UNITED 4
OGHENEKARO ETEBOR WARRI WOLVES 4
OKIKI MUSAMPA NEMBE CITY 4
GAMBO MOHAMED KANO PILLARS 3
UCHE IHUARULAM BAYELSA UNITED 3
TONY EDJOMARIGWE SHOOTING STARS 3
UBONG EKPAI AKWA UNITED 3
ICHULL LORDSON ABS 3
MOSES OGAGA SHOOTING STARS 3
AJANI IBRAHIM SUNSHINE STARS 3
BITRUS DADA RANGERS 3
MUSA NAJARE WARRI WOLVES 3
HAPPY OKUOKA HEARTLAND F.C 3
IYASELE ODILI BAYELSA UNITED 2
BELLO KOFARMATA KANO PILLARS 2
IKECHUKWU IBENEGBU HEARTLAND F.C [/i]2
ALABA JOHNSON [i]WIKKI TOURIST 2
FRED OKWARA DOLPHINS F.C [/i]2
SUNDAY CHINEDU [i]RANGERS F.C [/i]2
UGOCHUKWU UCHE [i]NEMBE UNITED 2
UGOCHUKWU LEONARD NASARAWA UNITED 2
EFE YARHERE RANGERS F.C 2
BARNABAS IMENGER LOBI STARS 2
JACKSON DANIEL NASARAWA UNITED 2
GODFREY OBOABONA SUNSHINE STARS 2
DAVID TYAVKASE HEARTLAND F.C 2
GOMO ONDUKA BAYELSA 2
BUKAR BAMAI EL-KANEMI 2
ABDULRAHMAN BASHIR ABS 2
ABRAHAM EZEOHA SHARKS 2
EMEM UDUAK DOLPHINS 2
NOJEEM OLUKOKUN KWARA 2

@honeric01

Rangers now out of the CCL.

relegated to the confederations cup.

Sunday Mba scored the only Rangers goal.

They lost 2:1

Our NPFL now have a sponsor.

GLO

A whooping 1.89BN naira for 3 years (sponsorship deal)

https://www.nairaland.com/1281708/npfl-gets-n1.89bn-title-sponsorship#15597088

Kano pillars get a shirt sponsorship deal with BUA group

Pillars net deal with BUA Group
by George Akpayen 08 May 2013, 09:25


Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars, have signed a one-year shirt branding deal with the BUA Group.

Supersport.com was told that the one-year deal is worth N5 million (around $31,500) with an option of renewal and a clause to increase the total sum involved based on performance.

The contract was signed in Kano last Saturday, a spokesman of the club said.

The partnership was endorsed by the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs, Sports and Youth Development, Professor Farouk Umar Jubril and Executive Director of BUA Group, Kabiru Rabiu, both present at the unveiling ceremony over the weekend.

Rabiu explained why BUA Group entered into the partnership with Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

"We, at BUA Group, are excited with this partnership and with one of the biggest football clubs in the country, Kano Pillars. In terms of fanbase, Kano Pillars is number one in Nigeria. BUA Group's aim is to encourage our football clubs. We will also focus in the areas of improving business plan and strategy to develop significant commercial partnership (with the club)," said Rabiu.

BUA Group is a conglomerates, which specialises in flour milling, cement manufacturing, real estate and sugar refining.

Kano Pillars now join NPFL clubs like 3SC, Enyimba, Dolphins, Enugu Rangers, Lobi Stars, Heartland, Sunshine Stars, Warri Wolves and Kwara United which have shirt branding deals.
http://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/130508/Pillars_net_deal_with_BUA_Group

May 7, 2013 10:05:00 PM
Enugu Rangers to play CS Sfaxien in Confederation Cup third round

The Flying Antelopes must raise the bar if they are to surmount Tunisian side in the third round of the second tier Caf club competition after the draws were made on Tuesday

Nigeria's sole surviving club on the continent, Enugu Rangers will have their hands full against Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the third round of the Caf Confederation Cup after the draw made Tuesday in Cairo.

The Flying Antelopes were initially in the lucrative Caf Champions League before they were demoted to the second tier club competition after they got beaten 3-1 on aggregate by Angolan side Recreativo do Libolo in the second round last weekend. They were held to a goalless draw when the first leg was played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu two weeks ago.

Rangers were drawn against CS Sfaxien that defeated Diables Noirs of Congo 4-2 on aggregate after edging the central African club 3-1 in Sfax as a follow up to the 1-1 draw secured in Pointe Noire a fortnight ago.

The Tunisians are yet to lose any game till date in the competition as they earlier dispatched Gamtel of Chad 7-3 on aggregate in the first round. The former club of Heartland of Owerri's Uche Agba outwitted the Chadian both home and away 4-2 and 3-1 respectively.

Speaking with Goal shortly after the draw was made Rangers' defender Chibuzo Okonkwo predicted another tough encounter but was quick to point out that a good win in the first leg on May 19 holds the ace to the Flying Antelopes' easy passage to the group stage of the Confederation Cup for the second time in 9 years.

"Both legs will definitely be tough but I fancy Rangers' progression to the next round this term. We have learnt our lessons and for us to do well, we must utilise our home game well. We should not rely on the second leg for good result.

"If we are able to beat them by at least three goals margin, it will be easier to play the return leg without tension," all-action Okonkwo said.

In the other quarter final pairings, Stade Malien of Mali that won the same competition two years ago will slug it out with Lydia Ludic Burundi Academy; two Morocco clubs FUS de Rabat and FAR Rabat will face each other in a local derby.CA Bizertin of Tunisia also tango with Ismaily SC of Egypt in another Arab affair.

In the remaining ties, Entente Setif of Algeria will try Heartland conquerors, US Bitam of Gabon for size;JSM Béjaïa of Algeria Versus Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia; T P Mazembe of DR Congo will strive to halt the giant killing run of Liga Muculmana de Maputo of Mozambique while Saint George of Ethiopia will seek to become the first club from that country to qualify for the Confederation Cup will a date with Egyptian club,ENPPI Club.

First leg holds in the weekend of 17-19 May 2013 while the return leg will be stage in the weekend of 31 May to June 2 2013.

A C Leopards of Congo who won the competition last year have upgraded to the Champions League thus leaving their crown open to any of the remaining teams.


http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/05/07/3962079/enugu-rangers-to-play-cs-sfaxien-in-confederation-cup-third?ICID=OP

LMC, Club Owners parley deadlocked in Abuja

May 1, 2013 11:16:00 AM
Tuesday’s meeting to resolve the problems of the local league was enveloped in a shouting bout as club managers walked out on the gathering


The truce meeting that the Nigeria Football Federation planned to sort out the differences between the League Management Company (LMC) and the Premier League Club Managers and Chairmen yesterday was deadlocked as the Club Owners were adamant and insisted that the LMC should pack up and go.

Nigeria Football Federation President Aminu Maigari, who breezed in from Morocco after the CAF U17 Championship where the Golden Eaglets emerged runners, up led the meeting and plead that both parties should agree to work together in the interest of Nigerian football.

The Club Owners, however, refused to change their stance on the matter and there was heated argument where the LMC chairman Nduka Irabor engaged in shouting argument with Nembe City boss, Victor Rumson Baribote and other Club Managers at the parley. The meeting then became stalemated as some of the club representatives walked out of the NFF Board Room.

Aloy Chukwuemeka of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Football Club who spoke with sports journalists that covered the event at the Zone 7, Abuja Secretariat of the NFF confessed that they did not conclude the meeting.

“We have agreed that the league should continue to progress and the major beneficiary of this meeting is the league itself. As I am talking to you now, we have agreed that the league will continue. Although the meeting was inconclusive for now we strongly believe that we will reconvene and continue with areas of disagreement,” Chukwuemeka said.

“For now the league will continue to progress and I want to assure you that the intervention of the Nigeria Football Federation is very crucial. Since the meeting was inconclusive then we will remain with the directive of the NFF that the status quo be maintained.”

The NFF however said that the meeting will continue at a yet to be named date and venue.

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/05/01/3945337/lmc-club-owners-parley-deadlocked-in-abuja?ICID=OP

Gbenga Ogunbote: I have to buy players for all the departments

Sharks coach says he will have to reinforce the team in all departments

Sharks coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has told Goal.com that he is going to buy players in all the departments of the game so that they can consolidate on all the good results they have recorded after a bad start to the league season.

The former Sunshine Stars handler noted that immediately the transfer window opens, he will go for the players so that they can begin to play for the team.

Ogunbote noted that after signing the players, they should be able to able to begin the challenge for honours this season.

"I am not going to make wholesome changes in the team, but I will buy players from every department. This will prevent any problems when some players are not doing well, they will be replaced with other players.

"The players that I have seen are good. But they need to have some other players that will complement their efforts. And that is why I am going to sign some new players.

"By the time we finish with our recruitment, the team will be in a good position to finish well this season. I have identified the players and I know they will greatly complement the efforts of the boys they will meet in the team.

"Many people have said no club will release its good players, but I am determined to sign quality players that will make Sharks the team to beat from now on," Ogunbote boasted.

Sharks are placed in the 19th position on the league table with nine points.

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/04/29/3940656/gbenga-ogunbote-i-have-to-buy-players-for-all-the?ICID=OP

Heartland demand three points over pitch invasion during Kano Pillars league tie

By Emeka Nwani
Apr 29, 2013 11:58:00 AM

The Owerri side has asked the League organising body to award the three points in the Pillars game to them over the incident that halted the Week Eight game

Heartland have demanded the three points from the week eight game against Kano Pillars after fans of the Kano side disrupted play when a policeman shot a fan who came to watch the match on Wednesday.

In a protest letter to the League Management Committee on Thursday, Heartland claimed that a fight broke out between the security men and a group of armed supporters belonging to the home team when the latter tried to force their way on to the pitch 30 minutes after the game had gone on without a goal from either side.

The fight resulted in the firing of gunshots which left about three Kano Pillars supporters known as the ‘Kofarmata Maisugidan’ boys with bullet wounds while the policeman accused of carrying out the shooting was stabbed to death by the angry supporters who also sacked the players and officials from the pitch. Several other supporters were also feared dead from injuries suffered while trying to jump out of the stadium.

Citing the relevant law guiding the league, the Naze Millionaires as Heartland are known, demanded the LMC to award them the three points and three goals available in the match.

Heartland media officer, Cajetan Nkwopara who confirmed that the protest was lodged within the mandatory 48 hours required by the law, said they were disappointed by rumours making the rounds that both the match commissioner’s report and the police report of the violence may have been compromised by failing to state in totality, the facts of the incident.

"We should instead be given the three points because they failed to provide security for the game. It was not our fault that a policeman shot a fan.

“We are worried by these rumours but we believe the match commissioner is a man of integrity and that the Nigerian Police, Kano State Command cannot deny justice to their colleague who was a victim and who hails from the same Kofarmata area as the wounded supporters, by failing to acknowledge simple truth that was witnessed by more than 400 hundred people at the stadium,“ Nkwopara said.

“We hold the match commissioner, Mr. Usman Zumami in high esteem. We have great respect and regard for the referee, Mr. Sylvester Okungbowa and his assistants, J.N. Ekundolor and Osumah Ajiboye. Most especially, we have trust and regard for the Nigeria Police and so, are persuaded to dismiss and disregard the rumours against them,” he added.

Heartland spokesman therefore, wondered why anybody would deny the violence that occurred at the match.
“I want Nigerians to ask the question, if there was no violence, who stopped the match and how was it terminated. For how long was the termination and why was the floodlight on by the time the match commissioner wanted the match restarted since the match kicked off by 4.00PM and was terminated 30minutes after.

"Was it so dark on that day in Nigeria that one needed a floodlight by 5.00pm or 5.30pm. Exactly how long did it take the stadium staff to procure and re-fix a new goal post net and two corner-flags after the former ones were destroyed by dagger wielding supporters of Kano Pillars.

What about the police officer who carried out the shooting. Was he detained for shooting ‘innocent people’ as Kano Pillars claimed. If he was not stabbed to death and is still alive as Kano Pillars want Nigerians to believe, why has he not been arrested and charged to court. Is what happened not of public interest to warrant an open and public prosecution of a ‘trigger happy cop’?” Nkwopara asked.

He added that another action of Kano Pillars that was annoying to Heartland was that few hours after the violence and termination of the match and even before the report of match officials would get to Abuja, Kano Pillars awarded themselves three points and three goals and caused these to be published in the newspapers the following day and have ever since continued to deceive some media into publishing false league tables when the LMC had not in fact ruled on the crises.

Nkwopara said they realized Kano Pillars were really in a mess as a result of what happened at their home ground and wanted to apply caution so as not to disgrace the entire Nigerian league but that Kano Pillars officials rushed to press with fabricated lies believing that it would help their cause thereby escalating the issue and exposing themselves.

“Thank God that we caught the invasion and encroachment of the pitch by Pillars supporters on the video recorder which tape we have submitted to the match commissioner. We now urge the LMC to release that tape to the public,” he concluded.

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/04/29/3939162/heartland-demand-three-points-over-pitch-invasion-during?ICID=OP

Heartland denies abandoning Kano Pillars tie after Police shooting

Apr 26, 2013 1:25:00 PM




The Owerri has said that there was no way they would have continued the game in Kano because of security concerns

Heartland media officer, Cajetan Nkwopara has denied that the Owerri-based side abandoned the week eight game against Kano Pillars last Wednesday.

Trouble started in the game when a police man shot a fan and they game was disrupted for more than 35 minutes and the game was eventually called off. The match was goalless in the 30 minutes before it was stopped because of security concerns.

Nkwopara told Goal.com that it is not true that Heartland refused to play again after the game was stopped.

"After what happened, nobody will expect us to enter the pitch again to continue the game. A fan was shot. The fans invaded the pitch and drove everybody away.

"We hid ourselves in the dressing room of Kano Pillars. There is no way we would have entered the pitch again when the fans were waiting to pounce on anybody.

"For security reasons, we said it was not wise to continue playing when our former players with Kano Pillars clearly advised us to stay away from the game as the rampaging fans would definitely come back.

"So it is not as if we abandoned the game. The lives of our players and officials are important to us. We are also surprised to hear that the referee has given the three points to Kano Pillars inspite of all that happened.

"This is hoping the authorities will look into the matter and consider all that happened during the game because we don't believe that the three points should go to Kano Pillars," Nkwopara concluded.

But Pillars' media officer, Idris Malikawa also told Goal.com from Kano that what Heartland did amounted to abandoning the game because the referee, Sylvester Okungbowa signalled that the game should continue after the disturbances.

"Heartland clearly abandoned the game because they heard and saw the referee when he said the match should start again.

"Our players were on the pitch waiting for the Owerri side to come out so the game could continue. But after waiting in vain, the match officials called off the game.

"Now tell how we are not going to get the three points when they refused to continue the match," Malikawa asked.

The league authorities are yet to make a pronouncement on whether the game will be replayed or the three points and three goals will be given to either of the teams.

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/04/26/3932992/heartland-denies-abandoning-kano-pillars-tie-after-police?ICID=OP

Enyimba suspend Akombo over indisciplined behaviour

May 3, 2013 11:25:00 AM

The Peoples Elephant have clamped down on the player over alleged indiscipline and he will receive no pay while serving his punishment

Enyimba FC have suspended striker Ukeyima Akombo (pictured playing for Sunshine Stars) indefinitely over acts of misconduct. The decision to suspend the player is in light of his gross indiscipline and unprofessional attitude which has seen him fail to attend training sessions and matches.

The former Sunshine Stars forward will also forfeit his pay during the period of his suspension, and the punishment takes immediate effect.

"You have voluntarily and without permission abandoned your duties of training and playing matches for the club which you signed for,” a statement signed by team manager, Deboy Ekweronu revealed on the club’s website.

"Having grossly violated the terms of your contract and code of conduct of the club, we hereby immediately place you on indefinite suspension without pay till further notice," the statement added.

The six-time Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions also say they have notified the League Management Company (LMC) of the development as Akombo has also been ordered to vacate the team's camp.

Akombo has scored once this term for the People's Elephant after joining in the off-season from Sunshine Stars.
http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/05/03/3950694/enyimba-suspend-akombo-over-indisciplined-behaviour?ICID=OP

Heartland gives conditions before replaying match against Kano Pillars

May 3, 2013 10:06:00 AM

The Owerri side says they will only replay the match against Kano Pillars if they don't spend their money in Abuja

Heartland have said they will write the league organisers to ask for Kano Pillars to pay for accomodation and feeding for the Owerri side when the game is replayed on May 29 at the Fifa Goal Project in Abuja.

The week eight game ended abruptly when a police man shot a fan with the match in the 30th minutes.

Amidst claims and counter claims of what exactly happened by the two teams, the league organisers ordered that the game be replayed.

But Heartland is not happy with the order and said some conditions must be met before they play the game in Abuja.

An official of the club, Tonnex Chukwu told Goal.com that the rule says that if a home team cannot provide security during a game, paprt from other punishments, the home team must pay N10 million.

"We heard they said we should replay the game in Abuja May 29, but the truth is that we want to write the oragnisers of the league and tell them that Kano Pillars must bear the cost of our accomodation and feeding for the game.

"What happened in that game was not our fault. It was purely a case of Kano State Football Association not being able to provide adequate security for the match.

"We paid our way to Kano for the game and we should not be made to pay another money for the replay in Abuja. If they had provided enough security, the match would have ended without any problem.

"So before the week runs out, we are going to write and demand that Kano Pillars should pay for our accomodation and feeding while in Abuja.

"That would serve as a deterrent to other teams in the league to take security very serious in all matches.

"We are ready for the replay, but we should not waste money again in Abuja," added Tonnex.

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/05/03/3946459/heartland-gives-conditions-before-replaying-match-against?ICID=OP

Chigozie Agbim happy transfer saga is finally over

Apr 26, 2013 1:45:00 PM

Newly signed on Enugu Rangers goalkeeper has revealed that he is happy all the troubles of moving to a new club is over

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim has revealed that he is a happy the transfer saga of moving to Enugu Rangers has finally been resolved.

He joined Rangers last Saturday before the first leg of second round of Caf Champions League game against Recreativo Libolo in Enugu.

Agbim who was part of the Super Eagles team that won the Africa Cup of Nations Cup in South Africa last February noted that he went through sleepless nights when the problem persisted.

"I am a happy man now that I have been cleared," Agbim told Goal.com.

"The problem did not allow me to concentrate on my career and I did not want to have such a problem at this stage of my career.

"But all that is past now. I want to settle down to do my best for Rangers in all competitions. Although I was training with the team before I was cleared, the fact that I was not playing matches became an issue.

"Everything is fine with me now. Immediately I was informed that I will be in goal against Recreativo Libolo, I made up my mind to show Nigerians that I am still that good goalkeeper they have always known.

"It is not good playing football with a lot of things on your mind. That is exactly what happened to me and I was praying that everything will be sorted out.

"Now is the time to pay more attention to my work and I am sure that God will crown my efforts with success," Agbim concluded.

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/04/26/3933142/chigozie-agbim-happy-transfer-saga-is-finally-over?ICID=OP

Justin Tenger: Akwa United will win a continental ticket this season

Apr 26, 2013 1:35:00 PM

Akwa United's coach has boasted that his ambition this season will be to qualify the Uyo-based side for a continental tournament

Akwa United coach, Justin Tenger has said that his desire at the end of this season is to make sure his side qualifies to represent Nigeria on the continent.

Tenger noted that he has the the calibre of players that can translate his ambition into reality.

"I know I recruited good players. And I know that they have the ability to surpass what they achieved last season," Tenger told Goal.com.

"So I have looked at them and found out that they possess the potentials to shock a lot of teams and football fans.

"People may not take us serious, but the level of comitment in the players has shown that we can achieve all we set out to do. Akwa United is a strong team that is destined for greatness.

"I am well experienced in the Nigerian league to know when a team has good players and whether they will do well. This team will do well and there is an enabling environment for us to succeed.

"I am optimistic that we can challenge for the title this season so we can play in the continent next year. It is not too much to aspire to even though some people will not take us serious.

"There is an assurance in me that all will be well. I am not boasting. It is the confidence in me that makes me hope that we can rank among the best in the league this season," the former Niger Tornadoes handler concluded.
http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/04/26/3933020/justin-tenger-akwa-united-will-win-a-continental-ticket-this?ICID=OP

NPFL Week 8 Round Up: ABS, Sharks grab first away points as 3SC fall again in Maiduguri

LOBI STARS 2-1 ENUGU RANGERS

Just like last season, the Makurdi side emerged victorious again despite claims of dubious officiating by their opponents Enugu Rangers in a match played at the Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina Ala.

Lobi won 2-1 through goals from Chimaobi Nwaogu in the 12th minute through an impressive free kick which caught the Flying Antelopes' goalie flat footed. The 2013 Caf Confederation Cup campaigners added to the opening goal in the 50th minute from a goal mouth scramble converted by Stephen Ezeh.

DON'T MISS
NPFL Week 7 Round Up: Wolves, 3SC winNPFL Week 6 Round Up: Pillars cruise again
NPFL Week 5: Heartland, Pillars win
Rangers strove to come back into the game in the second half but their effort was only rewarded with a goal through a fine shot from Dada Bitrus who added to the initial goal he netted at the beginning of the season. He scored in the 62nd minute

The win catapults Lobi to 12 points from 8 games. They got all points from four home victories while Rangers are still on 14 points. They have lost only their second game of the season.

EL KANEMI WARRIORS 2-0 3SC

The Oluyole Warriors though promised to start picking road points from their tie at the El Kanemi Stadium, Maiduguri but they were again pegged back after a disappointing first half display.

The goals came from Bukar Bamai in the 2nd minute and Haruna Babalo in the 28th minute of the tie.

3SC fought back harder in the second half but the points had been wrapped up for coach Zakary Baraje’s team in the first half. The Ibadan club must halt their bad spell on the road if they do not want to lose two consecutive games in a row as they go away to ABS of Ilorin this weekend.

3SC defeated ABS 1-0 in Ilorin during the off season friendly but coach Kabiru Suleiman Dogo had played down the importance of that win ahead of the weekend fixture.

El Kanemi have nine points from eight games while 3SC's 12 points from were fetched from their heroics at home this season.

AKWA UNITED 2-2 ABS

ABS travelled to in-form Akwa United who are yet to drop any point at home prior to the game but they proved not to be overawed by the record of the Uyo team.

The privately owned club raced to a two-goal lead through Akeem Audu and Abdulrahman Bashir but the home team fought back like a Trojan to protect their unbeaten home record. Atambia and Sharafa Usman got the desired equalising goals to the delight of coach Justin Tenger.

Akwa United are on 10 points while ABS have eight after eight matches.

BAYELSA UNITED 1-0 SUNSHINE STARS

Bayelsa United claimed all points in a tough duel with the Akure Gunners at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa. Terkimbo Akosu got the all-important match winner to hand Ladan Bosso's side their 13th point of the season after eight games.

Sunshine are still on 14 points and could jump to the top of the log this weekend if they beat Akwa United well and Pillars lose to Rangers in Enugu on Sunday.

WIKKI TOURISTS 1-1 SHARKS

For the first time this season, the Blue Angels had something to cheer about away from home. Before Week 8 ties all points got against Warri Wolves (2-1), Dolphins(0-0) and Pillars (0-0) were all at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt but at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi on Thursday coach Gbenga Ogunbote’s side got a 1-1 draw.

Abraham Okereke put the Blue Angels ahead in the first half but the hosts got the leveller early in the second half. The result did not help either team as they remain in the bottom 3 with 8 and 6 points respectively.

KANO PILLARS vs HEARTLAND (ABANDONED)

This was barely 30 minutes old when it was stopped over crowd violence in Kano. The crowd were protesting the shooting of a fan by the Police and it later degenerated into fisticuffs around the playing area which put the lives of the players and the match officials at risk.

The game was stopped as players and officials of both clubs including the match officials ran away for safety.

It is left to the League Management Committee (LMC) to rule on the match. It shouldn't be a difficult case since there are explicit rules for abandoned games.

Despite the setback, Pillars are still on top of the log with 16 points from 7 games while Heartland have 10 points.

DOLPHINS 3-0 NASARAWA UNITED

The Lafia club fell like a pack of badly arranged cards in Port Harcourt at the Liberation Stadium on Thursday courtesy of goals from Flying Eagles' captain Abduljelil Ajagun, Emem Uduok and Ifeanyi Egwim to the excitement of the home fans.

Nasarawa United were brimming with confidence after a strong start to the season but the Port Harcourt dwellers brought them down to earth with a 3-0 thrashing.

Dolphins with an indifferent start to the season are on 11 points while Nasarawa have 14 points. Both have played eight games.

GOMBE UNITED 1-0 ENYIMBA

The Desert Scorpions marched on to another home win despite strong resistance from the Peoples Elephant at the Pantami Stadium.

Enyimba had a good pre season campaign and they were picked among the favourites for the league shield but after losing four points already at home this season and a paltry single point gained away from Aba the team is looking like an average team.

The technical crew led by coach Salisu Yusuf was given an ultimatum of three matches to turn the fortunes of the club around, but a game after that ultimatum had just ended in a defeat and with another tough duel against Dolphins and Lobi Stars to follow the Aba Millionaires are in real precarious situation.

Cyril Obodo's effort handed a valuable three points to coach Maurice Cooreman and his players who have set a target of winning all their home fixtures and getting few away if possible.

Gombe are on 12 points while Enyimba have nine from eight games.

KWARA UNITED 2-0 NEMBE CITY

Coach Samson Unuanel’s boys have another three points to relish and they have got four points from the last two fixtures after the Week 6 loss at home to Nasarawa United.

Kabiru Sanusi and Nojeem Olukokun both were on the score sheet as the Afonja Warriors moved to 12 points from as many matches while Nembe City are still on 11 points in their debut season in the NPFL.

KADUNA UNITED 1-1 WARRI WOLVES

Kaduna United have relinquished another vital points to visiting Warri Wolves just like when Rangers came to same venue to get the same result some weeks back.

Wolves got the curtain raiser through Oghenekaro Etebo in the 19th minute but Ali Adamu's effort in the 53rd minute settled the tie at 1-1 apiece.

For Warri Wolves it was another successful road trip as they have now gone 7 games without defeat after their opening day loss in Port Harcourt against Sharks. They have 9 points from 8 games because they have had a record 6 draws and a win from their last 7 games.

Kaduna United are still in the relegation waters with 8 points from 8 games. Warri Wolves will welcome Kwara United in a tough Week 9 tie while Kaduna United must do all within reach to beat El Kanemi Warriors in the northern affair billed for Kaduna this weekend.

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/match/104678/lobi-stars-fc-vs-enugu-rangers-fc/report

Pls I need someone to confirm if Onyeudo Bishop actually scored a brace in their match against warri wolves. Mtnfootball.com recorded 2 goals for him while kickoffnigeria.com recorded 1. I actually used the brace for him. Thanks

Sharks vs Shooting stars kick off

ola_pluto: Sharks vs Shooting stars kick off

I am really vexing for 3SC at the moment with their away performances. That was how we were almost disgraced last season.
Any update on injury stats?

Shooting still goalless. Kano pillars 3-0 down at Enyimba

ola_pluto: Shooting still goalless. Kano pillars 3-0 down at Enyimba

Enyimba is not smiling oo. Any loss by Pillars is our gain(Rangers).

Afam4eva:
Enyimba is not smiling oo. Any loss by Pillars is our gain(Rangers).

I think Rangers still have an outstanding matching. Am I correct?

RedReact:
I think Rangers still have an outstanding matching. Am I correct?

Yes, we have an outstanding match.

Shooting pick first away point. Very good. Moving up the table after goalless draw with Sharks

ola_pluto: Shooting pick first away point. Very good. Moving up the table after goalless draw with Sharks

Ope Oluwa o ; more good news from away to come our way.