NPFL: Plateau humbles Bayelsa United, Warriors beat 3SC

Plateau United forward Albert Hilary stole the show on match-day 14 of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League with a hat trick as Plateau United compounded the woes of Bayelsa United with a 5-1 defeat at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday.

He scored a brace inside two minutes before adding the third in the 61st minute to take his season’s tally to five goals while Silas Nenrot and Chimezie Izuchukwu rounded up scoring for the hosts who also recorded their third win in a row. Bayelsa United’s only goal came from Ekeson Okorie in the 28th minute when they were two goals down.

Thanks to their newly found form, the Jos side who still have two games at hand have closed the gap on the summit to just four points with their 22 from 13 matches.

In Umuahia, hosts Abia Warriors fought back to secure a 3-2 win over 3SC in another high-scoring game. The visitors were seeking a first win in five games and Anayor Ogbonna gave them the lead in the 38th minute before Kelechi Nnochiri, Ifeanyi Anaemena, and Samson Obi responded for the hosts and gave them a two-goal cushion. Demola Kareem pulled one back for 3SC to make the final score 3-2.

Sporting Lagos couldn’t mark coach Paul Offor’s birthday with a decent result as they fell 2-0 against Enugu Rangers in Awka.

Meanwhile, Stanley Oganbor and Suleiman Mojereoma were on target for Lobi Stars as they ended Doma United’s nine-game unbeaten run in the NPFL and also toppled them into second place in the table. Doma also conceded for the first time in as many games since match-day five.

Despite their 2-1 loss against Kano Pillars, Remo Stars remained top of the table with 26 points from 15 matches, staying ahead of Lobi on goal difference.

In Owerri, Kennedy Boboye recorded his second win in charge of Heartland thanks to a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers, Akwa United. Sunshine Stars were also held to a 1-1 draw at home by Gombe United while Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes also settled for a goalless draw in Ilorin.