Lobi Stars of Makurdi extended their lead at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League following a 1-0 win against El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi on Sunday.
Samad Kadiri scored the winner from the spot in the 66th minute.
It was the former Sunshine Stars forward’s sixth goal of the campaign.
The Makurdi club now sit at the top of the standings with 30 points, five more than second-placed Kano Pillars.
At the New Jos Stadium, Kano Pillars held their hosts Wikki Tourists to a 1-1 draw.
Nafiu Kabuga put Wikki ahead from the spot in the 22nd minute, his eighth goal of the campaign.
Ibrahim Alhassan however levelled scores for the visitors in the 29th minute, expertly slotting the ball home after he was set up by left-back Chris Madaki.
League top scorer Junior Lokosa fired blanks in the game and was replaced in the 68th minute by Adamu Hassan.
Former champions Enugu Rangers went down to a 1-0 defeat against Niger Tornadoes in Minna.
Ibrahim Babawo scored the only goal of the game in the 17th minute after Nana Bonsu failed to deal with Reuben Ogbonaya’s cross.
In Nnewi, FC IfeanyiUbah bounced back from the midweek 4-0 loss to Kano Pillars by beating Sunshine Stars 3-1.
Patrick Ikeokwu, Isif Traore and Chijoke Alakwe were all on target for the Anambra Warriors, while Sikiru Alimi scored Sunshine Stars’ only goal.
Yobe Desert Stars also defeated Go Round FC 1-0 with substitute James Odeh scoring the winner 12 minutes from time.
Abia Warriors extended their unbeaten run to six games after batting to a 0-0 draw against Heartland in Owerri.
In another match day 16 encounter on Sunday, Katsina United secured a 2-1 home win against Rivers United.
Obinna Eleje netted the opener in the sixth minute, while Emeka Ogbugh equalised for Rivers United four minutes later.
Martins Usule grabbed the winner for the home team 11 minutes from time.
MATCHDAY 16 RESULTS Katsina Utd 2-1 Rivers Utd Heartland 0-0 Abia Warriors Lobi 1-0 El-Kanemi Wikki 1-1 Kano Pillars FCIU 3-1 Sunshine Stars Tornadoes 1-0 Rangers Yobe DS 1-0 Go Round