Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 17 delivered a flurry of decisive results across the country yesterday, with Abia Warriors and Shooting Stars securing crucial away victories to boost their campaigns.
In Owerri, Abia Warriors returned to winning ways after a difficult run, edging Kun Khalifat 1–0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
Former Heartland forward Suraju Lawal proved the difference, striking in the 81st minute to hand the Umuchineke Boys their first win in six matches. The result lifted Abia Warriors to fourth place on 27 points, while Kun Khalifat slipped into the relegation zone in 18th with 17 points, suffering their third defeat of the season.
In Kano, Shooting Stars continued their steady rise as Sodiq Ibrahim’s early ninth-minute goal sealed a 1–0 win over newcomers Barau FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium. The victory moved the Oluyole Warriors up to seventh on 26 points, while Barau FC remain 19th with 17 points.
Elsewhere, Kano Pillars finally avoided defeat on the road, holding Warri Wolves to a goalless draw in Ozoro. Although the result marked Sai Masu Gida’s first away clean sheet in over a year, they remain bottom of the table with 13 points, while Warri Wolves sit ninth on 23 points.
In Minna, Niger Tornadoes delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the round, thrashing El Kanemi Warriors 3–0. Azeez Akintunde opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the fifth minute before Rickson Mendos added a late brace to propel the Tornadoes to fifth place with 26 points, leaving El Kanemi 17th on 19 points.
Enyimba also enjoyed a productive afternoon in Aba, defeating Kwara United 3–1 with goals from Samuel Agu and a Chidera Michael brace. Despite Toheeb Gidado’s consolation strike for the visitors, the People’s Elephant climbed to eighth with 23 points, while Kwara United dropped to 12th on 21 points.
League leaders Nasarawa United were held to a goalless draw by Plateau United in Jos, a result that keeps the Solid Miners top on 31 points but leaves the door open for Rivers United, who trail by just one point with two games in hand.
Bayelsa United marked an emotional occasion in Yenagoa with a 2–1 comeback win over Remo Stars, while Bendel Insurance and Rangers International settled for a 1–1 draw earlier on Saturday.
Attention now shifts to today’s fixtures, where Rivers United host Wikki Tourists knowing that victory will take them to the summit, while Ikorodu City face Katsina United with a chance to climb as high as second on goal difference.
