The second stanza of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League hit the gears with aplomb on Sunday as Rivers United striker, Nyima Nwagua, scored a hat-trick in the former champions pulsating 3-2 win over Doma United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nwagu got the opening goal seven minutes into the encounter but Bidemi Owoku levelled matters for the visiting Doma in the 32nd minute. Nwagua then added the second and third in the 47th and 55th minute before Hillary Ekawu pulled one back for the visitors.
Despite their win, Stanley Eguma’s side are still 10th in the table with 27 points after 20 games.
Also, Plateau United striker Albert Hilary resumed the second stanza with his 10th goal of the season to help his side to a 2-1 win over Lobi Stars at the New Jos Stadium.
After Muhammad Umar had given the hosts the lead in the 41st minute, Hillary doubled the advantage eight minutes after the restart before Suur Kumaga halved the deficit for Lobi in the 56th minute.
The striker is now one goal behind Remo Stars’ Sikiru Alimi in the scorers’ chart while Plateau also moved up to fourth in the table with 34 points after 20 matches.
Following the defeat, Lobi Stars surrendered the top spot to Remo Stars, who now lead on goal difference after getting a priceless goalless draw against Abia Warriors in Aba with 10-men. Ahmed Akinyele was sent off for the leaders with seven minutes to the end of normal time.
Elsewhere, Kennedy Boboye began his second stint as the coach of Sunshine Stars with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Kwara United at the Akure Township Stadium.
Teenager Promise Awosanmi scored for Sunshine in the 33rd minute but Abubakar Garba restored parity for the visitors in the second half.
In Lagos, Bendel Insurance’s search for a first away win of the season was futile, as they lost 1-0 against Sporting Lagos just as Rangers also compounded Akwa United’s worries with a 1-0 defeat in Enugu.
There was relief for relegation-threatened Bayelsa United, thanks to a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Gombe United while Katsina United also beat Niger Tornadoes 1-0.
