Nasarawa United reclaim NPFL top position

Nasarawa United reclaimed the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) top position from Ikorodu City after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over 3SC in the rescheduled week 16 match played yesterday at the Lafia City Stadium. Twenty four hours before the feisty duel in Lafia, Ikorodu City were leading the table following their hard-earned 0-0 draw with […]

Nasarawa United reclaimed the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) top position from Ikorodu City after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over 3SC in the rescheduled week 16 match played yesterday at the Lafia City Stadium.

Twenty four hours before the feisty duel in Lafia, Ikorodu City were leading the table following their hard-earned 0-0 draw with Wikki Tourists on Sunday.

The crucial away point took them to the top with 28 points, one more than Nasarawa United who had 27 points with a game in hand.

However, Moyi Hassan’s solitary strike in the 66th minute against 3SC instantly changed the top of the table with Nasarawa United reclaiming the lead with 30 points from 16 matches.

Before the clash with 3SC, Nasarawa United had lost by a lone goal at Rivers United to surrender the top position to Ikorodu City.

Next for the “Solid Miners” is a short trip to regional rivals, Plateau United, on Sunday, December 14.

In the other week 16 match played yesterday, Bendel Insurance stunned hosts Katsina United 1-0 in Ilorin.

After a barren first half, Insurance ace striker, Elmer Arunta, broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute to hand Katsina United the seventh defeat of the season.

It was the first away victory in any match involving the two NPFL clubs.

Six previous contests between katsina United and Bendel Insurance were perfectly balanced with each winning three matches.

Before yesterday’s match, Insurance under Coach Kennedy Boboye were second from bottom but the “Benin Gunners” are now out of the drop zone at least temporarily.

Following the conclusion of week 16 matches, Ikorodu City who finished fourth last season are occupying the second position with 28 points.

They will be aiming to pick the maximum points in their next home match against Katsina United to return to the top, while hoping that Nasarawa United falter in Jos against Plateau United.

Although Rivers United occupy the third position with 27 points, mathematically, they are the leaders because they have two outstanding matches.

If they would win the two matches, last season’s runners up and Nigeria’s only representative in the Champions League, would automatically move to the top of the table, in case Nasarawa United drop points along the way.

In fourth position is Enugu Rangers who have 25 points from seven wins, four draws and five losses.

The “Flying Antelopes” who recorded the biggest win of week 16 matches will be hoping to win away at Bendel Insurance to at least maintain their position on the table.

However, if they drop all three points in Benin, and Abia Warriors who are breathing down their necks in fifth position with 25 points win at newly promoted Kun Khalifat, the top five positions would change automatically.

Meanwhile, the last four positions on the table are occupied by Kano Pillars (20th), Bendel Insurance, Barau FC and Plateau United.