Dolphins Return to NPL Summit

There were some very interesting results at the weekend and some surprising ones. Let's take the games one after the other:

Nov 27

Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Shooting Stars

(Joseph Thompson 28')

For me, this was the most keenly contested match of the weekend. Shooting stars until this weekend were yet to lose a match and for the whole week were sitting at the top of the league but they met a Kano Pillars team that was so resolute on getting their season back on track after their week 3 loss to Kwara United. 

It was an open game and Shooting Stars can hold their head up high despite the loss.

Bukola Babes 1 – 0 Enyimba

(Audu Akeem 76')

The most surprising result of the weekend for me. Defending champions Enyimba have not been particularly electric this season but against new-comers Bukola Babes, I expected Enyimba to win this one but Bukola Babes had another plan.

It took the boys from Kwara state 76 minutes to break down Enyimba's resilience but they were able to hold onto the slim lead and what a victory it was for them.

Dolphin 3 – 0 Gombe Utd

(Abduljeleel Ajagun 55', Emma Godwin 70' (Pen), Uche Oguchi 77'(Pen)

Surprise, surprise, Dolphins who couldn't score a goal against an average Sharks team in week 3 scored 3 lovely goals last weekend. The Portharcourt boys dominated the game from the blast of the whistle but didn't get a goal until the 55th minute but from then on they didn't look back.

Juth FC 0 – 1 Warri Wolves

(Nelson Onyekachi 30')

Big spending Warri Wolves got a deserved victory in Jos but they do not look like a championship winning team yet.

Crown FC 1 – 0 Kwara Utd

(Ayoola Moses 5') 

Another new comer pulling their weight. Crown got an early goal and hard as Kwara United tried, they were unable to break down Crown's defence.

Nov 28

Zamfara Utd 3 - 2 Plateau Utd

(Zamfara Utd: Peter Bako 50', Lucas Wayo 55', Obasesam Enite 64')

(Plateau Utd: Kelly Paul 5', George Akpabio 23')

This, I think, was the most interesting match of the weekend. Plateau United shot to a 2 goal lead and it looked like they were on their way to a remarkable away victory in Kano. The story changed in the second half as Zamfara rallied back to win the most exciting and open game of the weekend. It was a good thing this match was on cable TV.

Heartland 2 - 1 Kaduna Utd

(Heartland: Osas Okoro 82', Ikechukwu Ibenegbu 89')

(Kaduna Utd: Siman Yusuf 64')

Heartland had to rely on the brilliance of two players on the fringe of the Super Eagles to fight back from a goal down to win this game. A late rally from Heartland resulted in two late goals from Osas and Ibenegbu as they picked themselves up from the jaws of defeat in the hands of Kaduna United.

Sunshine Stars 2 - 0 Enugu Rangers

(Ukeyima Akombo 26', Ifeanyi Inyam 75')

My surprise team of the 4week old season, Sunshine Stars continued their good stars to the season. Ukeyima added to his goal haul for Sunshine while Ifeanyi Iyam also made a point for a call-up to the Super Eagles. Sunshine Stars were simply too good for Rangers to handle

Ocean Boys 1 - 1 Sharks

(Ocean Boys: Michael Andrew 13')

(Sharks: Bright Ejike 56')

Nothing to say about this match. A draw that I expected. Still waiting for the NPL board's decision on the Sharks, Dolphins match.

Lobi Stars 2 - 1 Niger Tornadoes

(Lobi Stars: Tony Okpoto 19, Victor Barnabas 57')

(Tornadoes: Emmanuel Osita 43')

Lobi stars made their home support count. The match started brightly but faded out mid-way into the second half.

Over-all it was a good weekend for football in the Nigeria premier league. Dolphins are back on top but it's still early days.

Log:

Pos	Teams	Pld	Pst
1.	Dolphins	4	9
2.	Sunshine	4	9
3.	Wolves	4	8
4.	3SC	4	7
5.	Pillars	4	7
6.	Heartland	4	7
7.	Gombe	4	7
8.	Rangers	4	6
9.	Sharks	4	6
10.	Enyimba	4	6
11.	Kaduna	4	5
12.	Zamfara	4	5
13.	Lobi	4	4
14.	Crown FC	4	4
15.	Niger	4	4
16.	Kwara	4	4
17.	Bukola	4	4
18.	JUTH	4	3
19.	Ocean	4	2
20.	Plateau	4	1