Last season’s runners-up in the Nigeria Professional Football League, Enyimba, on Wednesday kept their dream of winning the league alive by beating title contenders Sunshine Stars 3-1 in Aba.
The league champions Kano Pillars on the other hand were held to a 1-1 draw in Kano by Wikki Tourists.
Enyimba got their first goal through an own goal in the 36th minute when Sunshine’s Stephen Eze sliced Ezekiel Bassey’s cross beyond his goalkeeper.
Nzube Anaezemba got the second goal for the Peoples Elephant just before half time, while Bassey made it three three minutes into the second half.
The game remained intense as Sunshine looked for a goal, but it became more difficult for them after Adigun Adebayo of Sunshine got a second yellow card and was dismissed for a reckless tackle on Bassey.
All efforts at goal by the visitors remained futile until the 90th minute when the referee gave a penalty to Sunshine after Emmanuel Anyanwu brought down Ozor Chinedu in the box.
Tunde Adeniji converted the spot kick and gave Sunshine a late consolation.
In Kano, Pillars’ Hele Isaac scored their lone goal in the 30th minute by kicking home Rabiu Ali’s cross.
Ali missed a chance to make it two for Pillars when he failed to convert a penalty just before the end of the first half.
Wikki equalised two minutes into the second half with a goal by Godwin Obaje shortly after it began to rain in Kano. After that, all of Pillars’ pressure on Tourists’ defence did not yield results.
Sunshine, Enyimba and Wikki Tourists are now tied on 33 points, but the Akure Gunners remain atop the log, while Enyimba are in second place. Tourists are third, while Giwa are fourth with 31 points.
Kwara United were the only team that got an away win by beating FC Ifeanyiubah 2-1.
Heartland almost grabbed an away win but El-Kanemi Warriors equalised through a penalty after four minutes added time to finish the game 1-1.
In the other matches, Dolphins beat Shooting Stars 1-0; Giwa FC defeated Nasarawa United 2-1; Sharks walloped Abia Warriors 2-0; Bayelsa United played out a goalless draw with Rangers; while Lobi Stars beat Akwa United 1-0
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