NPFL: Kabuga records season’s first hat-trick; shocks for Kano Pillars, Plateau United + other results

Nafiu Kabuga of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi scored the first hat-trick of the 2017/2018/Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season against Rivers United on Sunday.
Kabuga’s goals in the 57th, 59th and 87th minutes helped the hosts to a 3-0 win and 11th place on the table after securing 16 points in total from 12 matches.
Rivers United though are one point away with 17 points but in seventh place with same number of matches.
Yobe Desert Stars recorded a huge upset in beating Kano Pillars 2-0, all thanks to Joel Djondang own goal in the 24th minute and Abdulmalik Mohammed’s 71st minute effort.
Pillars are now lying in second position with 20 points, a point ahead of the Desert Stars who are now third.
Elsewhere in Enugu, Ghanaians’ Nana Bonsu and Fatau Dauda were in goal for hosts Rangers International FC and Enyimba International FC of Aba respectively.
Bonsu had replaced injured Femi Thomas in the 32nd minute, but Bright Silas scored five minutes into the game to make his goal count for a 1-0 victory for the hosts.
New comers Go Round FC of Omoku in Port Harcourt secured a win against 17th-placed Sunshine Stars of Akure, with Eta Otop’s goal in the 34th minute.
The 19th-placed Go Round FC are now with 13 points from 11 matches, while their visitors are also in the relegation zone with 13 points on 17th.
Thirteenth-placed FC IfeanyiUbah drew 1-1 with visiting Abia Warriors of Umuahia at Nnewi in another oriental derby.
The Anambra Warriors could not hold on to Patrick Ikeokwu’s 5th minute goal, paving way for Obi Samson’s 67th minute goal for the visitors to earn a point.
MFM FC of Lagos thrashed visiting Heartland FC of Owerri 3-0, with Stanley Okorom utilising a penalty kick eight minutes into the game.
Then, Uwaga Chuka scored in the 63rd minute while Giscard Tchato scored also in added time to give the hosts a good boost.
Defending champions Plateau United lost 0-1 to Niger Tornadoes of Minna with Isah Hussain scoring a 34th minute goal.
Top-placed Lobi Stars of Makurdi secured a 1-0 victory against visiting Katsina United with David Tyavkase’s 69th minute strike.
The Makurdi side moved to the top with 23 points, while Katsina United have 14 points to place them in the 14th position.
Bottom-placed Kwara United could not better their lot, drawing 1-1 with visiting El Kanemi Warriors who are placed 18th.
The visiting Maiduguri side opened scoring through Antonio Desonsa in the 36th minute, while the hosts got the equaliser in the 54th minute.
A total of 16 goals were scored on Match Day 12, with seven home wins and two draws from the nine matches played.