Football
Dami Ugbane, Special to ESPN 7y

NPFL Wrap: MFM cut lead at the top, champions Enugu Rangers slip into bottom four

Action from match day 29 fixtures saw Plateau United's lead at the top cut to two points after an away loss, while MFM FC secured a win thanks to Stephen Odey's 17th league goal of the season.

And, champions Enugu Rangers woes continued as they slipped into the bottom four following an away loss in Kano.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah 1-0 Enyimba

Godwin Obaje's 12th goal of the season handed FC Ifeanyi Ubah a vital Oriental derby win against Enyimba in Nnewi, though the result did nothing in improving their league standing as they remain in sixth-place.

Defeat means Enyimba drop four spots down the log into seventh-place, as they continue to struggle for consistency in the top four.

Kano Pillars 2-0 Enugu Rangers

First-half strikes from Jamiu Alimi and Junior Lokosa handed Kano Pillars a comfortable home win against Enugu Rangers, a win which moved Masu Gida into 10th on the log.

The champions slipped back into the drop zone with nine games of the season to be played, as they occupy the last relegation spot in 17th-place.

Enugu Rangers failed to trouble their hosts for large periods of the game, losing an 11th league game this season, and now have it all to do if they aim to beat the drop.

MFM FC 1-0 Wikki Tourists

Second-place MFM FC closed the gap at the top to two-points, thanks to Stephen Odey's 17th league goal of the season. On a rainy Lagos day, Chukwuka Onuwa set up Odey to stab the ball past Emeka Nwabulu in the 40th minute.

Odey appeared to be in the mood for more goals but was denied by Nwabulu, who despite his heroics on the day couldn't prevent Wikki Tourists from slipping into 14th-place.

Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Plateau United

Samuel Agba netted a fourth minute penalty to hand Niger Tornadoes a valuable home win against Plateau United.

Emeka Umeh and Hamzat Owolabi both came close to restoring parity for Plateau United, but were denied on both occasions by goalkeeper Mustapha Aliko and a last ditch defensive tackle.

Akwa United 3-0 Gombe United

Akwa United moved a spot into third-place on the table, thanks to a convincing win against Gombe United who dropped to 19th-place.

Musa Newman got the opening goal in the 57th minute - his fifth successive league home goal before Alhassan Ibrahim doubled the lead from the spot to net his 12th goal of the campaign.

Substitute Christian Pyagbara netted the third in the 83rd minute, to complete a truly dominant second half performance.

ABS FC 0-0 Rivers United

ABS FC failed to make home advantage count against Rivers United and were held to a scoreless draw by their more experienced opponents.

The hosts would wonder how they failed to convert the several begging chances that came their way. Bernard Ovoke of Rivers United on two occasions failed to direct his headers on goal when unmarked.

The result sees ABS FC drop further down the table into 18th-place, as they failed to win for a fifth successive game.

Lobi Stars 3-2 Remo Stars

Uchenna Eze's 84th minute goal handed Lobi Stars a narrow home win in a thrilling encounter against bottom-placed Remo Stars, who appear to be condemned for the drop.

Remo Stars twice came from behind to draw level but failed to hold on in the final moments of the game. Red-hot forward Anthony Okpotu gave Lobi Stars the lead in the ninth minute before Victor Chidume levelled with an audacious strike in the 13th minute.

Kingsley Eduwo handed the home team the lead on the dot of halftime, Ekene Awazie dragging Remo Stars back into the game. Eze gave the hosts the lead for the third time, a strike which proved to be the winner as Lobi Stars moved into fifth-place.

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