28 February 2011
Table-topping Dolphin recorded their first draw this season in the Nigeria Premier League, but it could have been worse for the Port Harcourt side had hosts Shooting Stars taken their chances especially in the first half.
Pillars also held back title-chasing Warri Wolves with a lone goal home win, just as Kwara United pulled off the biggest shock of the day with a 2-0 win away at Gombe United.
3SC looked like they were coasting to victory at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta after shinning star Tope Orelope shot them ahead after 37 minutes with a cracking goal.
Striker Raheem Owolabi had at least two clear chances in the first period to put the game beyond Dolphin but he failed to do so and after the interval, Dolphin fought back gamely to draw level.
Derek Amadi returned to haunt his former club when midway through the second half he rose to head home a pullout for the equaliser. It was his third goal in the last three matches.
Last season, in the corresponding fixture, both teams also drew 1-1 in Ibadan.
Dolphin thus stayed top of the standings with 37 points from 17 matches, while Shooting Stars are stuck in 14th spot with 22 points.
We failed to put away the chances we created against a very consistent team like Dolphin, disappointed 3SC coach Fatai Amoo told MTNFootball.com after the match.
3SC now face a daunting challenge in the next two weeks as they are on the road to Warri Wolves and a resurgent Ocean Boys.
Pillars revived their flagging title hopes thanks to a 1-0 win over third-placed Warri Wolves at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Experienced midfielder Rabiu Ali converted a first half penalty after a Warri Wolves player handled the ball inside his box.
Olympic team invitee John Huan shone like a million stars for the home team.
The Kano club have now recorded 27 points to move into seventh position.
Kwara United took full advantage of Gombe playing behind closed doors on Sunday after crowd trouble at a recent game by winning 20 at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.
Youngster Barnabas Imenger opened scoring for the visitors with a 51st minute strike, before former Ranch Bees striker Kabiru Sanusi doubled Kwaras lead on 65 minutes for his fourth goal of the season.
Gombe maintained their 15th place, while this win propelled Kwara into the top half of the 20-team table.
Kaduna United held hosts Niger Tornadoes to a 0-0 draw in Minna to now occupy sixth place with 27 points.
This was Tornadoes second draw in as many matches under new coach, Justin Tenger.
Bukola Babes host Ocean Boys in Bauchi on Monday, while the match between Zamfara and second-placed Sunshine Stars has been put off indefinitely after the Gusau club were attacked by robbers on their way to Kano.
Also put off till a further date was the derby between Enugu Rangers and Heartland in Enugu.
The match between champions Enyimba and Lobi Stars in Aba will now be played on Wednesday as the match venue staged a political rally at the weekend.
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