Plateau United of Jos attacker, Uche Onwuasoanya says he is happy seeing his side climb back top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday, after a 5-0 win over Adamawa United of Yola, while title-contenders and fellow-Middle Belt side, Lobi Stars of Makurdi could only settle for a goalless draw at home with equally high-riding Dakkada Stars of Uyo, megasportsarena.com reports.
While another title-aspirant, Rovers United of Port Harcourt had a day off, Plateau made the best of home advantage to zoom back on top, after they were dislodged in midweek by Lobi Stars, as Gbenga Ogunbote’s men dropped points at home for the first time this season in their barren draw with Dakkada, leaving Abdu Maikaba’s team to overtake them on goals difference.
Top striker Ibrahim Mustapha scored twice (18th and 40th minutes) for Plateau in Sunday’s win while enterprising midfielders, Salefu Ochowechi (25th), Onwuasoanya (55th) and Abba Umar (90th) also got on the score sheet as they tore the hapless side into shreds.
In other matches, Wikki Tourist of Bauchi scored through Promise Damala in the 18th minute and Olushola Ajala (46th) to eke out a 2-1 win against visiting Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministry (MFM) FC of Lagos, whose goal was scored by Izuchukwu Chimezie in the 47th minute.
Also on Sunday, two goals in the final fifteen minutes saw Kano Pillars defeat visiting Akwa United of Uyo 2-0, with Nyima Nwagua (76th minute) and Rabiu Ali (79th) netting the goals, while FC Ifeanyiubah of Nnewi beat Enyimba of Aba 2-0 in an oriental derby, with goals from Uche Sebastine (37th) and Ikenna Cooper (66th).
The full line of results are – Wikki 2-1 MFM FC, Kwara Utd 0-0 Sunshine Stars, Kano Pillars 2-0 Akwa United, FC Ifeanyiubah 2-0 Enyimba, Plateau United 5-0 Adamawa United, Enugu Rangers 3-1 Abia Warriors, Heartland 0-0 Katsina United, Lobi Stars 0-0 Dakkada.
In the wake of it all, Tin City hero, Onwuasoanya said he was happy to get one of the goals that helped the 2017 NPFL champions return to the summit of the table on goals difference, while the former Gombe United and Kwara United of Ilorin attacking midfielder added that Plateau United will now aim to consolidate by ensuring they win their next match as well.
Onwuasoanya told AOIFootball.com: “I’m happy to be among the scorers, knowing that the victory has taken us back to the top of the table. We will not relent in our bid to fight for the league title, even though the race is still very open. We have all it takes to be crowned NPFL Champions, and we will give it our best shot.”
