NPFL MD 12 Review: Goals rain in Bayelsa, stalemate in Jos as Referee abandons Remo Stars Gombe match in Ikenne

By Olusola Adebayo

Bayelsa United defeated Abia Warriors by 5-1 in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL match played on Sunday.

The match which was witnessed by a sizeable crowd at the Samson Yebowei Stadium in Yenegoa Saw Mizo Roberts opened the floodgate in the 5th minute as all five goals were scored in the first half.

The result lifted Bayelsa United out of the relegation zone sitting in 8th position with 12 points, the same point as Wikki Tourists in 9th position but with a superior goal difference.

Wikki Tourists also got the job as quickly as possible by compounding Dakkada United's woes at the bottom of the log with a 3-1 defeat to keep up with their aspiration of escaping relegation.

Doma United continue their impressive run at home with a 2-1 victory over Niger Tornadoes, picking a maximum of three points, thus jumping to second on the log with 19 points, just a point behind Lobi Stars at the top of group B. 

The Gombe state-based team is now in a good position to fight for a top 3 finish at the end of the season.

Lobi Stars go top of Group B with a valuable one point won against Rangers as both teams share the spoils at 1-1 while Rivers United, their closest rival was on a continental engagement in far away Abidjan.

In Group A, Bendel Insurance maintained their unbeaten so far in the season, holding Plateau United to a 1-1 to remain on top of the group.

Izuchukwu Chimezie gave Plateau United the lead in the 42nd minute but Deputy Etcheta's equalizer came in the 71st to preserve their unbeaten streak in the NPFL. 

Akwa United make a statement step toward securing a spot in the Super Six by picking maximum points against fierce rival, Enyimba as the Godswill Akpabio Stadium landlord defeated Enyimba by 1-0 through Uche Collins's effort in the 73rd minute.

The match between Remo Stars and Gombe United was abandoned at halftime after a goalless first half, sources claimed the referee refused to resume duty for the second half after he was harassed in the tunnel. 

The Ikenne-based team's chase for a top 3 finish received a boost with an away victory last matchday at Maiduguri against Elkanemi but will have to await IMC's decision to know their fate and the outcome of today's match with the latest development.

Shooting Stars of an Ibadan laugh last at Akure Township Stadium with a last-minute goal to continue their push for safety by securing a 94th-minute goal to pick a maximum of three points at stake.

Matchday 12 FULL-TIME RESULTS 

Nasarawa Utd 1-2 El-Kanemi

Wikki 3-1 Dakkada

Rangers 1-1 Lobi Stars

Plateau Utd 1-1 Bendel Insurance

Bayelsa Utd 5-1 Abia Warriors

Doma Utd 2 - 1 Niger Tornadoes

Akwa Utd 1-0 Enyimba

Kwara Utd 0-1 Shooting Stars

Remo Stars 0-0 Gombe Utd (abandoned at HT)

Doma 2-1Niger Tornadoes