Nigeria Premier League leaders Kano Pillars have opened a five-point gap at the top of the standings after beating Lobi Stars in Kano while its closest rivals failed to win their respective matches.
Pillars recovered from a loss to Bayelsa United in midweek to beat Lobi Stars 2-0 courtesy of first half goals from goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai and Azeez Shobowale.
Afelokhai came from the other end of the pitch to convert a ninth minute penalty while Shobowale, who had earned the earlier penalty, struck midway through the first half to seal the win for Pillars.
With Enyimba being held to a goalless draw in the Oriental derby against Heartland in Aba and Nasarawa United losing 2-1 to Dolphins, the Port-Harcourt side leaped to second place as a result.
A goal in each half from Emem Eduok put Dolphins 2-0 up by the 69th minute while Debekeme Tamarukuro’s 74th minute effort proved a mere consolation for Nasarawa as Dolphins held on to claim a crucial win.
Elsewhere in the Nigeria Premier League, bottom club Nembe City had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Crown in a match that saw Nembe hit the post in the third minute and have a goal by Okpose Martins disallowed for offside early in the second half.
Onyekachi Okafor however gave Crown the lead 20 minutes from time and after substitute Tolu Tomkmor squandered a great chance for Nembe, he finally got the home side’s equaliser with six minutes to go.
Other matches saw Rangers beat FC Taraba by a lone goal in Enugu while Giwa claimed a 2-0 win at home to Bayelsa United.
Kaduna United got a 3-0 win over Gombe United and captain Sunday Abe missed a penalty as 10-man Sunshine Stars drew goalless with Akwa United in Akure.
Warri Wolves meanwhile will face Abia Warriors on Monday morning as the match was postponed before kick-off on Sunday due to a waterlogged pitch in Warri.