Sharks of Port-Harcourt extended their unbeaten run in the Nigeria Premier League to eight matches following a 1-0 win at home to Enugu Rangers in a matchday 14 encounter today.
Christian Pyagbara’s goal after 18 minutes was enough to maintain Sharks place on top of the league with 26 points, two points ahead of Nasarawa United that won 2-0 at home to Giwa FC of Jos.
Elsewhere, defending champions Kano Pillars sustained their recent good form by holding Kaduna United to a 2-2 draw in Kaduna. Samuel Agba twice put Kaduna ahead but midfielder Rabiu Ali equalised both times for Pillars.
In other matches, a late Bright Ejike penalty salvaged a 1-1 draw for Heartland at home to Abia Warriors, Enyimba of Aba drew 1-1 at El-Kanemi Warriors and Bayelsa United beat Akwa United by a lone goal in Benin City.
Bottom club Nembe City scored a lone goal win at home to Dolphins of Port-Harcourt, Crown FC beat Warri Wolves 2-1 in Ibadan and Lobi Stars rose to third place on the league table with 22 points courtesy of a 3-1 win over FC Taraba.
The last match of the round between Gombe United and Sunshine Stars will be played on Thursday in Bauchi, after the Nigeria Premier League imposed a three-match banishment on Gombe from their home ground.
The punishment is as a result of crowd trouble after the recent match between Gombe United and visiting Kano Pillars, which Pillars won 3-2. Pillars coincidentally is serving a three-match banishment to Kaduna for a similar incident.
Matchday 14 results
Bayelsa United 1-0 Akwa United
Crown FC 2-1 Warri Wolves
El-Kanemi Warriors 1-1 Enyimba FC
Heartland 1-1 Abia Warriors
Kaduna United 2-2 Kano Pillars
Lobi Stars 3-1 FC Taraba
Nasarawa United 2-0 Giwa FC
Nembe City 1-0 Dolphins FC
Sharks FC 1-0 Enugu Rangers
Outstanding fixture
Gombe United – Sunshine Stars
Top Five on NPL table (as at 22:00 May 20, 2014)
Team Matches Played Points GD
Sharks FC 14 26 +9
Nasarawa United 14 24 +3
Lobi Stars 14 22 0
Bayelsa United 12 20 +2
Warri Wolves 14 20 -1