The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) continued to throw up stunning results as Go Round FC left it late to win 2-1 at Abia Warriors while Plateau United were battered three-nil by Heartland on Wednesday.
Matchday 2 of the season followed in the steps of the opening day as Go Round FC under new head coach Willy Ndube got off to a fine start against Abia Warriors at the Umuahia Township Stadium where Sadiq Ololade opened scoring eight minutes before the break. The away side held onto Ololade’s strike into half-time.
Just after the hour mark Abia Warriors fought back and levelled the score to 1-1 through Emeka Isaac’s spot kick after Akaba Otega fouled Ibrahim Olawoyin in the box.
The game looked destined to end in a share of the spoils before substitute Emmanuel Ugwu who replaced Samuel Onukwube on 89 minutes scored the winner in the second minute of added time to break the hearts of Abia Warriors faithful.
More than 100 kilometres from where Go Round were celebrating their first-ever away win, FC Ifeanyiubah also left it late to claim all three points against Nasarawa United. Chijioke Alaekwe was the hero as he capitalized on a loose ball to score the winner in added time which ensured FC Ifeanyiubah go top of Group B of the NPFL.
Heartland recorded the biggest win on Wednesday, defeating Plateau United 3-0 at the Okigwe Township Stadium. At the break the score was 0-0 though Gabriel Wassa got the marching order for a second booking and Plateau United head coach Abdu Maikaba had to sacrifice winger Bernard Ovoke for defender Daniel Itodo.
On the hour mark, Efe Yarhere handed Heartland the lead and two further goals from Chinonso Okonkwo in the final 15 minutes including a spot kick put the game to bed for Heartland who are now second in Group B behind FC Ifeanyiubah.
At the Agege Stadium in Lagos, MFM FC shrugged off their disappointing opening day defeat at Enyimba to see off Kwara United 2-0, though they had to wait to get the job done in the second half. An own goal by Segun Alebiosu three minutes into the restart and a strike by Adeniji Kabir secured the win for the Olukoya Boys.
Two quickfire goals at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna ensured that Niger Tornadoes and Rivers United shared points after full-time. Eric Frimpong came off the bench to give Tornadoes a 66th minute lead but their celebration had hardly died down when Ossy Martins popped up to finish off Wasiu Jimoh’s assist three minutes later.
Matchday 2 continues on Thursday when El-Kanemi Warriors play hosts to Kano Pillars from 4pm local time.