14 February 2011
Dolphin maintained a four-point lead at the top of the Nigeria Premier League after a 1-0 win at Zamfara United, just as closest rivals Sunshine Stars beat Ocean Boys 2-0 at home.
Dolphin have thus recorded 33 points from 15 matches, while Sunshine moved up to second spot on 29 points.
Surprise package Bukola Babes also consolidated their third place with a 3-1 home victory over Lobi Stars, meaning Warri Wolves drop down to fourth position.
Dolphin match winner at Zamfara United was Derek Amadi, who fired home from outside the box late in the second half of a match controlled by the Port Harcourt outfit.
Sunshine Stars midfielder Ajani Ibrahim joined Ekigho Ehiosun of Warri Wolves at the top of the goals chart on seven goals when he scored from the penalty spot against visiting Boys after he went on a dribble run and his marker eventually handled the ball inside the area.
Im delighted to score again and I now want to also score in our next match at home to Kano Pillars, said the 20-year-old Ibrahim.
Ukeyima Akombo opened scoring for Sunshine off a cross from the left by the enterprising Ibrahim.
It was the towering strikers fifth goal and his first this year after he was hit by a goals drought that lasted several weeks.
Ocean Boys had central defender Denigo Ebinipere sent off on the dot of time for his second booking of the day, while coach Larry Eceli also saw red in the 80th minute.
In Bauchi, Bukola Babes have now gone unbeaten in their last eight games following a 3-1 victory over Lobi Stars.
The Ilorin club totally outclassed Lobi beginning with a second minute free kick goal by central defender Fade Adebayo, before Shobowale Azeez increased the tally on 46 minutes off an assist by rightback Cletus James.
Abdulrahman Bashir netted his fifth goal of the campaign when he rounded up the goalkeeper from a quick counter attack in the 80th minute.
Lobi pulled a goal back with three minutes to go when a shot was deflected by Ali Gandu into his own net.
Perhaps the biggest test for the NPL shock troopers will come in the coming weekend when they are guests of table toppers Dolphin in Port Harcourt.
In Enugu, home team Rangers pipped Kwara United 1-0 courtesy of a Brendan Ogbu 37th minute effort.
Uche Nwafor skinned his marker before unselfishly locating Ogbu to make hay.
It was balanced encounter even though Kwara coach, Kadiri Ikhana was nowhere near his team to further fuel speculations over his future, while his deputy, Tunde Sani, was sent off in the 70th minute for frequently contesting the calls of the referee.
Rangers are now sixth with 23 points, while Kwara have slipped further down the second half of the table.
Shooting Stars thrashed bottom club JUTH of Jos 3-0 in a late kick-off at Abeokuta.
Central defender Lateef Adigun hit a brace in the first half, before Taofeek Adepoju completed the rout in the second period.
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