Rivers United and Ikorodu City stumbled in their title chase after suffering narrow defeats to Kano Pillars and Abia Warriors in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) week 35 matches played on Sunday.
Pillars’ most influential player and General Manager, Ahmed Musa, scored the decisive goal in second half stoppage time to hand the “Masu Gida” boys the crucial home victory.
Experienced defender, Abdullahi Musa, had broken the deadlock for Pillars in the 81st minute but Handsome Surveyor restored Parity for the visitors in the 89th minute before the former Super Eagles’ captain sealed the victory in the second minute of stoppage time.
While the win boosted Pillars’ chances of survival, the defeat cost Rivers United their place at the top as Rangers who edged regional rivals Enyimba 2-1 in Enugu assumed the leadership position with 59 points.
Ikorodu City also lost 1-2 to Abia Warriors but have maintained the third place on the table with 55 points while Rivers are now second with 58 points.
Elsewhere, El-Kanemi Warriors and Wikki Tourists suffered home defeats to 3SC and Bendel Insurance respectively.
In Maiduguri, substitute Qamar Adegoke’s second half brace secured 2-1 victory for 3SC while Efe Ubiomo’s goal in the 51st minute sealed Insurance’s 2-1 win over Wikki Tourists in the early kick off in Bauchi. Katsina United and Nasarawa United also bounced back to winning ways with victories over Bayelsa United and Warri Wolves. While Katsina United won 3-2 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium Katsina, Nasarawa United emerged 3-0 winners in Lafia.
In other matches, Remo Stars defeated Tornadoes 3-0 just as Kwara United halted Barau FC’s unbeaten run with a hard fought 2-1 victory.