Action continued in the 2021/22 season of the NPFL as the Matchday Nine encounters took place in various centres around the country.
At the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, there was a battle for supremacy between first-place Rivers United and second-place Remo Stars, both of whom were separated by goal difference.
The exciting match ended 1-1 as both sides continued with their unbeaten start to the season. The hosts opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute of the encounter through lanky striker Andy Okpe. The striker latched onto a low cross from Samuel Anakwe following a fast break and finished emphatically at the far post for his fourth NPFL goal this season.
Rivers United found their equaliser late in the first half after an uncharacteristic blunder from Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole. The keeper received a back pass from captain Nduka Junior before proceeding to hastily clear the ball into the onrushing Nyima Nwagua. Bankole saved the initial shot from Nwagua, but spilled the ball into the path of Chijioke Akuneto, who calmly slotted the ball into an empty net for his fourth goal of the season.
Neither side could score in the second half as they settled for one point apiece.
Enyimba claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over the visiting Katsina United in Aba. Mercurial midfielder and captain Austin Oladapo opened the scoring for Finidi George’s men with a low drive from outside the box, before an unfortunate own goal from Somiari Alalibo helped the Changi Boys equalise. A penalty from Chukwuemeka Obioma was enough to settle the match and give all three points to the People’s Elephant and put them in third place on the NPFL log.
Kwara United defeated Gombe United 2-0 at the Kwara State Sports Complex in Ilorin. Quickfire second half goals from Junior Lokosa and Alao Danbani gave the Afonja Warriors all three points from the encounter.
Kano Pillars claimed a vital 1-0 away win over Heartland at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. Mark Daniel scored a late winner for Sai Masu Gida in the matchday nine clash.
Akwa United won away from home against Niger Tornadoes in their NPFL Matchday Nine clash at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja. A second half goal from youngster Leo Ezekiel was enough to give the champions maximum points from the encounter.
Wikki Tourist defeated Nasarawa United 2-0 at the Abubakar Tarawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi. Abubakar Aliyu and Anas Yusuf got the goals for the home side in the encounter.
Shooting Stars claimed their first away win since 2016 in the NPFL as they defeated MFM FC 1-0 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos in their Southwest Derby. An early strike in the 5th minute from Damilare Olatunji settled the match in favour of the Oluyole Warriors.
Plateau United secured a 1-0 win at home over Abia Warriors thanks to a second-half strike from Hillary Albert.
Sunshine Stars cruised to a 3-0 win over Lobi Stars in their Matchday Nine clash thanks to three first-half goals. Samson Olasupo scored twice, with Leonard Ugochukwu also finding the net as the Owena Whales made it seven matches unbeaten this season in the NPFL.
Dakkada FC were held to a goalless draw by Rangers International at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
