The 23rd match day of the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL, kicked off with eight games at different venues on Saturday.
Two home wins were recorded with six draws as fans savored the 14 goals scored during the various fixtures.
Edith Agoye directed Shooting Stars to return to winning ways in front of their fans with a 3-0 win over the 10-man Lobi Stars at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasigba, in Ibadan.
Shooting Stars, who have been far from convincing in their previous games, were able to patch up their yo-yo form by recording a win for the first time in four straight games.
A first-half brace from the club’s new signing Lucky Emmanuel and second-half strike from substitute Ayo Adejubu ensured that coach Agoye received a better reception from the Ibadan fans.
Shooting Stars opened the scoring spree after three minutes of action when Lucky Emmanuel benefited from an error by the visitors.
Emmanuel scored his brace when he headed in Malomo Taofeek’s free kick in the 18th minute to see the hosts lead 2-0.
Lobi Stars hit the woodwork with a Bethel David free kick in the 24th minute, but before the break Lobi Stars were reduced to 10 men when Tony Agbaji received a second yellow card.
The second half continued from where the first ended and the Oluyole Warriors became more cautious not to concede goals.
Ayo Adejubu, who has scored most of his goals in the last few minutes, scored Shooting Stars’ third goal in the 80th minute when he jumped up to 11th position with 30 points.
Meanwhile, Lobi Stars fell to 18th place below MFM.
Like Shooting Stars, Dakkada also edged out opponents, relegation contenders and Heartland 2-1 at the Nest of Champions in Uyo. Dakkada scored first in the 28th minute through Israel Emmanuel.
Dakkada doubled their tally with a shot from the penalty spot by Aniekan Ekpe in the 53rd minute. Naze’s Millionaires scored a consolation goal from Monday Yakubu in the 64th minute.
Heartland is neck-deep in relegation waters as they sit 20th on the record with 21 points after failing to win a game in eight straight.
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On the other hand, Gombe United dropped points to Akwa United when they played out a 1-1 draw at Pantami Stadium.
It was the Uyo club that opened the scoring with a point-blank shot from Yakubu Adam in the 16th minute. Akwa United’s lead lasted until the 32nd minute when the referee whistled for a handball in the away area.
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Yusuff Abdulazeez scored the equalizing penalty. The point earned along the way by Akwa United moved them to 7th position with 33 points as coach Ayeni continues his unbeaten streak in four games.
Meanwhile, Ayeni’s former club Sunshine also picked up a point against Rangers as they ended in a barren draw at Awka.
In the last match of the day, the Kano Pillars’ return to their traditional stadium failed to change their fortunes, as they lost valuable points for the umpteenth time.
The Pyramid Boys were forced into a barren draw by fellow Northside side Kastina United.
The stalemate did not sit well with fans who allegedly vandalized visiting team Kastina United’s buses.
ResultsGombe United 1-1 Akwa United3SC 3-0 Lobi StarsKano Pillars 0-0 Katsina UnitedRangers 0-0 Sunshine StarsAbia Warriors 1-1 Niger TornadoesWikki Tourists 1-1 Kwara UnitedDakkada 2-1 HeartlandNasarawa United 1-1 Remo Stars