Former champions Akwa United defeated struggling Nasarawa United 3-0 on Sunday at the New Jos Township stadium in the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Week 3 Group A match.
Nasarawa United were desperate for a win after losing two matches in a row, but went behind in the 43rd minute when James Ajako put Akwa United ahead.
When play resumed, the situation for the “Solid Miners” got even worse as Ndifreke Effiong doubled Akwa United’s lead in the 47th minute before adding the cherry on top with a brace in the 74th to secure his team’s victory.
In Umuahia, new discovery, Kumaga Suur was the hero for Lobi Stars who ended Abia Warriors’ unbeaten run. The youngster’s header in the 56th minute was all that Lobi Stars needed to inflict the first defeat of the season on Abia Warriors.
Insurance also maintained their winning streak with another away 1-0 win at Kwara United. Imade Osehenkhoe’s goal in the 25th minute made the difference.
Elsewhere, Plateau United survived an early scare at home as they fought back to beat Enyimba 2-1. Chibuike Nwaiwu had put the visitors ahead in the 24th minute but Ifeanyi Onyebuchi restored parity for Plateau United in the 35th minute before Kazeem Ogunleye won the maximum points for the hosts from the spot in the fifth minute of second half added time.
But victory remained elusive for Enugu Rangers after they were forced to a 1-1 draw at home by Sunshine Stars. Imo Kemdinachi’s own goal in the 14th minute gave Rangers the lead but Ibrahim Yusuf found the equaliser for the Ákure Gunners’ in the 36th minute.
Newcomers Doma United made history by winning their first match in the NPFL after Emmanuel Ogwuche’s goal in the 59th minute gave them a 1-0 win over Dakkada FC at the Pantami stadium.
Wikki Tourists miserable run continued in Yenagoa where they suffered another 2-1 loss to Bayelsa United. Robert Mizo and Israel Consul scored a goal each in the 45th and 69th minute before Idris Mohammed Guda reduced the tally from the spot in the fifth minute of added time.
Meanwhile, El-Kanemi Warriors failed to record back-to-back victories as they were forced to a 0-0 draw by Gombe United in Maiduguri.
