Abeokuta Stormers and Heartland share spoils
By Osamuyimen Mannaseh
Quest for a place in the Nigeria Premier League 2023/2024 season kicked off Sunday, July 2nd at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State with three wins, five goals and a draw recorded in four matches of the Nigeria National League Super 8.
Kano Pillars, Katsina United and Sporting Lagos all recorded a win each to start the playoff on a good note.
In the first match of the day, a 47th-minute strike by William Sunday was all former NPFL champions, Kano Pillars needed to see off a stubborn EFCC side in the Northern Conference.
The Sai Masu Gida side captained by Rabius Ali had former MFM FC goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo to thank for his saves to deny an all-attacking EFCC side goal in the game.
In the second match of the day, it took former NPFL highest goals scorer, Victor Mbaoma only fourteen minutes to announce his return to Nigerian football as he netted in the 14th minute to give Katsina United a lead over DMD FC. The former Enyimba International forward doubled the lead in the 20th minute to give his side a comfortable lead that would turn out to be the saving grace as their opponents pulled one back from the spot courtesy of Saidu Salisu to end the game two goals to one at full time.
The first Southern Conference game of the day between Sporting Lagos and FC One Rocket was heading into a barren despite loads of chances created in both halves of the game. FC One Rocket could have gotten the lead in the first half, but the frontline was wasteful in a game they would later rue missed chances. As the game climaxes, Emmanuel Odafi scored for the Lagos-based side after deflecting a Chisom Orji shot in the FC One Rocket’s box.
The last game of the day between Abeokuta Stormers and Heartland of Owerri ended in a barren draw as both sides fired blank in a game full of scoring opportunities.
Full Time results.
Kano Pillars FC 1-0 EFCC FC
Katsina United FC 2-1 DMD FC
Sporting Lagos 1-0 FC One Rocket
Abeokuta Stormers 0-0 Heartland FC
Photos: Ikechukwu Ojibi