Football
Dami Ugbane, Special to ESPN 6y

Akwa United close the gap on league leaders

Michael Ibe's 76th-minute strike for 10-man Akwa United sealed a 1-0 away victory against Yobe Desert Stars on a weekend in which league leaders Lobi Stars were defeated.

Akwa, who had to deal with Ayobami Asekunowo's first-half dismissal, are just two points behind Stars, who became the latest heavyweight casualty to stumble in Omoku as they lost 1-0 to Go Round at the Krisdera Hotel Stadium. Shedrack Oghali headed in Akinwale Ogunjobi's 69th-minute cross for the winner.

Go Round, who remain unbeaten at home, have also beaten Akwa and Plateau United, with the three points seeing them climb out of the relegation zone.

Red-hot Junior Lokosa's 19th league goal of the season saved Kano Pillars' blushes, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Rivers United at home.

Chikere Osita's 12th-minute header stunned the hosts, and it could have been worse had a post not come to the rescue just before the break.

Lokosa drew Pillars level two minutes after the restart, and despite eight additional minutes, Pillars failed to win a home game for only the third time this season as they remain in third.

Goals in each half from Uche John and Joseph Osadiaye sealed a comfortable 2-0 home win for Enyimba against Katsina United, a win which moves the People's Elephant into fifth-place, level on 37 points with Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes.

John put Enyimba in front from the spot after 11 minutes after a foul on Ikouwem Udoh. Osadiaye then secured the points, converting a rebound on 65 minutes.

Abia Warriors fought hard for a 2-2 draw at the home of champions Plateau United in a dramatic encounter that the Warriors would feel unlucky not to have won.

Saidu Salisu scored the first of his brace in the 49th minute, but two quick-fire strikes within two minutes from Sunday Adetunji and Samson Obi turned the tie around as the visitors led.

The champions were presented with a lifeline in the form of an 87th-minute penalty. Reuben Bala missed his effort, but Salisu made no mistakes three minutes later as he secured a draw which keeps Plateau in fourth position.

In other results, Mubarak Ejiogu's 28th-minute strike clinched maximum points for Niger Tornadoes at home to Wikki Tourists, while Chinedu Sunday's goal sealed a 1-0 victory for Kwara United against FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

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