Plateau United defeat Rangers International 1-0 to top NPFL table; Lobi Stars pip Akwa United 1-0; Sunshine Stars beat MFM 2-1

Plateau United FC of Jos, on Wednesday, defeated visiting Rangers International of Enugu 1-0 in a rescheduled Matchday 9 match of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
With the victory, the NPFL reigning champions climbed to the top of the NPFL table with 18 points.
Chizoba Amafule, new signing from Abia Warriors, gave Plateau United the lead in the 83rd minute,  when he headed in after a lob by Ingbede. Rangers keeper,  Thomas was beaten  to the far right for the lone goal that took the champions to the top of the table.
The first half  was marked by the injury sustained in the 35th minute by Rangers forward Aguda, after a bad challenge from Plateau’s  Golbe.
Aguda was taken out of the field.
Four minutes after, Plateau goalie Okiemute Odah stretched his full length to keep out Bright Silas’ attempt for Rangers, an effort that would have given the visitors the lead.
The first half of the match ended goalless as both sides failed to undo each other.
In the second half, the hosts mounted pressure on the visitors, such that the latter were made to seat deep in their own half of the field as they conceded free kick after free kick.
In the 65th minute, Plateau made two tactical substitutions, introducing Peter Eneji  to replace Osanga, and  Abdulwaheed replacing Omoniwari. To pile more pressure on the visitors, Ibe Johnson also replaced  Ambrose in the 75th minute.
Two minutes after, the substitutions drew the result expected as Chizoba Amaefule headed the champions in front.
Rangers made their own substitutions later on, but they were not so effective.
After the match, Rangers Chief Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote said that his side was unlucky to go home without at least a point.
“We did all we could to get at least a point but lost it at the last minute. It  is unfortunate but it is one of those things in football.
“We will take the positives from the game and make amends where necessary,”he said.
Kennedy Boboye, Plateau United Chief Coach, said that his side played against a very technical team and was happy that they got the three points.
Boboye said the three points were very important points to his side and would boost their morale as they travel to play on Tuesday in CAF Champions league.
Amafule the scorer of the goal that gave United the victory, thanked God for giving them the three points in the match.
He said the team was tired after the  long journey from Cameroon, where they beat Eding Sports in CAF Champions League
He  said the team  would do their best when they travelled to Tunisia for another CAF Champions League match against Etoile du Sahel.
Meanwhile, Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, on Wednesday, defeated Akwa United Football club 1-0 in the Nigerian Professional Football League match played at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
The tension-soaked encounter saw the two teams making frantic efforts to get the opener but none was able to break each other’s defence.
In the 16th minute, Lobi made a substitution, replacing injured Thomas Adesina with Austine Ogunye.
But 17 minutes after, Ogunye  scored for the hosts. Sanou provided the assist.
The goal  proved to be the only one in the match. Akwa made several attempts to equalise, but they were blocked by Lobi’s defence. In one instance, defender  Zango flung himself at an Akwa goal attempt, to mount a  superb blockade.
During the second half, the visitors  tried to push forward, but the Lobi  boys stood firm.
The match was stopped for three minutes after Lobi keeper Kayode went down on the pitch. This was at the 56th minute. Play resumed in the 59th, after he was treated.
Akwa, which started the second half strongly, faded off as the game went on.
Head Coach of Lobi Stars Solomon Ogbeide expressed satisfaction with the officiating and  praised  his boys.
He thanked his players for giving a good account of themselves.
He said the team would continue to improve.
In another match played, Sunshine Stars of Akure beat MFM FC 2-1 at the Akure Township Stadium.