A total of 18 league goals were scored across 10 games, as matchday 5 of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League season saw Remo Stars and Rivers United maintain their unbeaten run so far in the start of the campaign.
In an eventful weekend, action began on Saturday, January 8 at the Ilorin Township Stadium where home team Niger Tornadoes were held to a goalless draw by Rivers United.
In Aba, debutant Emmanuel Godwin’s solitary strike in the 87th minute ensured Enyimba FC returned to winning ways after back-to-back losses against Rivers United and Kano Pillars on matchday 3 and 4 respectively.
Ten-man Dakkada FC in their newly adopted home in Benin held on to record a 2-1 victory over Nasarawa United. Tochukwu Udeh’s 33rd minute goal sandwiched Aniekan Ekpe’s 3rd minute opener from the spot and Emmanuel Ayaosi’s added time winner.
Meanwhile, new boys Remo Stars continued their fine start to the season; Samuel Anakwe’s 56th minute goal sunk Plateau United in Ikenne. The victory means Remo Stars stay top of the league with 11 points and keep their cloak of invincibility.
Sunshine Stars ran riot over Kano Pillars in Akure. Kamaru Adebari 69th minute header put the Owena Waves ahead, while Michael Olulasi doubled the tally in the 79th minute of play, and Bello put the icing on the cake 10 minutes from time with a well-taken free-kick to ensure Kano Pillars suffered their third loss this season, leaving the four-time league champions rooted to the bottom of the log with just 4 points from 5 games.
In Ilorin, Samuel Chizom’s goal for Kwara United was cancelled out by an Ossy Martin’s equalizer before the break. Both teams pushed for a winner but the tie ended one-all in regulation time.
However, champions Akwa United conceded late on once again on the road, as Saidu Mubarak’s 83rd minute close range finish handed Lobi Stars a 1-0 victory in Makurdi. Heartland defeated Wikki Tourists 1-0 courtesy of a 37th minute penalty converted by Nwaodu Chukwudi.
An injury time goal gifted Katsina United all three points in a 2-1 win over rivals Gombe United, while MFM FC defeated Abia Warriors by the same scoreline in Lagos.
MATCHDAY 5 RESULTS
NIGER TORNADOES 0-0 RIVERS UNITED
MFM FC 2-1 ABIA WARRIORS
LOBI STARS 1-0 AKWA UNITED
KWARA UNITED 1-1 ENUGU RANGERS
SUNSHINE STARS 3-0 KANO PILLARS
REMO STARS 1-0 PLATEAU UNITED
HEARTLAND 1-0 WIKKI TOURISTS
KATSINA UNITED 2-1 GOMBE UNITED
ENYIMBA FC 1-0 SHOOTING STARS FC
DAKKADA FC 2-1 NASARAWA UNITED
