Sporting Lagos came from behind to beat Plateau United 3-2 at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday, the standout result of NPFL matchday 9. Enyimba were held 0-0 at home by Warri Wolves and remain in the bottom three, while leaders Rangers sat the weekend out for CAF Champions League duty.
Ten minutes that turned Jos
Aliyu Baba put the visitors ahead after ten minutes. Victor Dawa answered twice before the break.
Plateau led at half-time. It did not last.
Victor Samuel levelled eight minutes after the restart, and the game swung for good when Alex Aghahowa was sent off in the 80th minute, leaving the hosts with ten men; three minutes later Jacob Aondona scored the winner that, according to Complete Sports, gave Sporting Lagos only their second away win of the season.
Daily Sports reported that the result stretched the Lagos side's unbeaten run to six matches. They now sit third on 15 points, while Plateau, who had thrashed Kano Pillars 4-0 a week earlier, drop to fourth on 14.
Gbenga Ogunbote did not hide. “Unfortunately we gave up the lead and things fell apart,” the Plateau coach told Complete Sports. He added: “It's good it happened early so that it would make every one of us to wake up.”
Rain in Port Harcourt, Enyimba still stuck
Rivers United against Barau never finished on schedule. Heavy rain halted play at 0-0 in the closing stages at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, and the league ordered the remaining minutes to be played the following morning. The NAN round-up carried by Peoples Gazette lists the game as a goalless draw. If that stands, Finidi George's side move level on 17 points with Rangers and edge them on goal difference, although the Flying Antelopes have a game in hand.
That game in hand is against Bendel Insurance. Blueprint reported that the fixture was postponed to let the Enugu club concentrate on the Champions League, and the decision paid off: Rangers, down to ten men after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh's early red card, beat MC Alger 2-0 in Abeokuta with two goals in the last six minutes from Kenneth Igboke, from the penalty spot, and James Emo. The second leg is in Algeria on Friday.
In Aba, the nine-time champions drew another blank. No goals, no win. Enyimba are 18th with eight points from nine games, level with Ranchers Bees and six clear of rock-bottom Inter Lagos.
“We played very well; we just didn't convert several chances,” midfielder Wonah Williams told Sports247.
Next up is a trip to Lafia, and Nasarawa United will be waiting there in good form. Kelechi Ogbodo and Leonard Ugochukwu scored in a 2-0 win over Inter Lagos at Onikan, Nasarawa's first away win of the season.
Kano Pillars ended a five-game winless run by beating Katsina United 1-0. Niger Tornadoes held off Ikorodu City 2-1 in Minna. On Friday, Shooting Stars beat Ranchers Bees 3-1 to end their own five-match wait for a win, and Ranchers Bees parted ways with technical adviser Usman Abd'Allah by mutual consent two days later, after two wins, two draws and five defeats from nine league games. Saturday's games, Kun Khalifat against Doma United and Kwara United against Abia Warriors, both ended 1-1.
Our view
Nine rounds in, only three points separate first from seventh. Sporting Lagos have turned a promising start into a genuine challenge.
Enyimba are the bigger story. Wrong reasons, though. A week after our matchday 8 report flagged their slide, they have added one point, while their Oriental derby rivals Rangers keep winning on two fronts.
For the full list of grounds hosting this season's games, see our guide to NPFL clubs and stadiums.
This article was most recently revised and updated 32 seconds ago
