Former champions, Akwa United thrashed embattled Nasarawa United 3-0 in the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Week 3 Group A match played Sunday at the New Jos Township stadium.
Having lost two matches in a row, Nasarawa United was desperate for a win but fell behind in the 43rd minute when James Ajako put Akwa United ahead.
On resumption, things moved from bad to worse for the ‘Solid Miners’ as Ndifreke Effiong doubled Akwa United’s lead in the 47th minute before putting the icing on the cake with his brace in the 74th minute to seal victory for his side.
In Umuahia, new discovery, Kumaga Suur was the hero for Lobi Stars who ended Abia Warriors’ unbeaten run. The youngster’s header in the 56th minute was all that Lobi Stars needed to inflict the first defeat of the season on Abia Warriors.
Insurance also maintained its winning streak with another away 1-0 win at Kwara United. I made Osehenkhoe’s goal in the 25th minute made the difference.
Elsewhere, Plateau United survived an early scare at home as they fought back to beat Enyimba 2-1. Chibuike Nwaiwu had put the visitors ahead in the 24th minute but Ifeanyi Onyebuchi restored parity for Plateau United in the 35th minute before Kazeem Ogunleye won the maximum points for the hosts from the spot in the fifth minute of the second-half added time.
But victory remained elusive for Enugu Rangers after they were forced to a 1-1 draw at home by Sunshine Stars. Imo Kemdinachi’s own goal in the 14th minute gave Rangers the lead but Ibrahim Yusuf found the equalizer for the Ákure Gunners’ in the 36th minute.
Newcomers Doma United made history by winning their first match in the NPFL after Emmanuel Ogwuche’s goal in the 59th minute gave them a 1-0 win over Dakkada FC at the Pantami stadium.
Wikki Tourists miserable run continued in Yenagoa where they suffered another 2-1 loss to Bayelsa United. Robert Mizo and Israel Consul scored a goal each in the 45th and 69th minute before Idris Mohammed Guda reduced the tally from the spot in the fifth minute of added time.
Meanwhile, El-Kanemi Warriors failed to record back-to-back victories as they were forced to a 0-0 draw by Gombe United in Maiduguri.
