NPL: Pillars Extend Lead On Table

Kano Pillars extended their lead
at the top of the Nigeria league table after playing out a 1-1 draw at FC Taraba on Wednesday.
Pillars now have 44 points from 26 games, three points clear of second-placed Nasarawa United, who were thrashed 3-0 by Crown.
Pillars took the lead in the 45th minute through Adamu Hassan for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The hosts had to wait till stoppage time to draw level through Usman Mohammed.
Rabiu Ali almost scored in the 33rd minute when his powerful shot was saved by Richard Ochaeyi in goal for Taraba.
In Port Harcourt, Chima Akas rescued coach Gbenga Ogunbote-led Sharks with a well-taken free kick goal that beat Super Eagles ace Chigozie Agbim in goal for Gombe United as Sharks scraped a 1-0 home win.
Akwa United deservedly claimed three points at the expense of an unimpressive Enyimba courtesy of a 1-0 home win.
Akwa were in control of the game at the Uyo Township Stadium for the better part, but poor finishing denied them of more than a goal.
Kufre Ebong tapped in a cross from the danger man Ezekiel Bassey in the concluding minutes of the first half for the match winner.
Rangers defeated Dolphins 2-1 to end the six-game unbeaten run of the Port Harcourt outfit also on Wednesday.
Rangers now have 34 points from 26 games, while Dolphins remain on 39 points.
League hotshot Osaguona Ighodaro broke the deadlock and put ’The Flying Antelopes in front in the 20th minute to take his goal to 14 in the league.
In the 63rd minute, Tijani Adamu equalised for Dolphin with a well-taken goal.
Christian Obiozor restored Rangers lead in the 72nd minute, when he fired in a rebound from the Chidi Edeh’s penalty which was saved by Austin Brown in Dolphins goal.
Frank Egharevba scored thrice to compound the woes of Nembe City as Bayelsa United won 3-1 in Benin City.
Bayelsa United now have 33 points from 26 games, while Nembe City remain at the bottom of the table with 24 points from 26 games.
Egharevba broke the deadlock in the concluding minutes of the first half.
He doubled the hosts’ lead in the 58th minute.
Substitute Timi Timi, who came in for Okpose Martins in the 53rd minute, scored Nembe City consolation goal in the 79th minute.
When Nembe City were battling to get an equaliser, Egharevba completed his hat-trick in the concluding minutes of the game to end it 3-1.
Relegation-threatened Crown FC trounced title chasers Nasarawa United 3-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Crown now have 28 points from 26 games, while Nasarawa remain on 41 points from 26 games.
Coach Mohammed Babaganaru-led side went to Ibadan with the hope of compounding the woes of hosts Crown FC, but met the unexpected as Crown were impressive as they look to brighten their chances to survive.

A Nigerian Premier League action between Sharks of Port Harcourt and Rangers International of Enugu.