Abia Warriors continued their impressive form to climb to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table after a 2-1 away victory over Niger Tornadoes in Minna.
Sunday Megwo’s 38th-minute opener and Sunday Akinmoladun’s own goal just before halftime gave the visitors control.
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Abdulrasheed Dabai reduced the deficit in the 54th minute, but the Warriors held firm to secure all three points — their sixth win of the season.
The result lifts Abia Warriors to first place with 21 points from 11 matches, maintaining their strong push for an early title challenge.
Tornadoes, meanwhile, drop to fifth on 17 points, losing ground in the top-four race.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers United, currently eighth with 16 points from nine games, continued their recovery with a 1-0 win over second-placed Nasarawa United.
Timothy Zachariah’s decisive strike in the 45th minute handed the Pride of Rivers a vital victory that narrows the gap between them and the top of the table.
Ikorodu City stayed in third place on 18 points after a solid 2-0 home triumph over Kun Khalifat, courtesy of goals from Chidera Oparaocha and Ibifubara Dagogo.
At the Enyimba Stadium, sixth-placed Enyimba closed in on the leading pack with a confident 2-0 win over Kano Pillars, thanks to first-half goals from John Bassey and Edidiong Ezekiel.
The People’s Elephant now sit just five points off the top, with momentum swinging their way.
In other matches, Bayelsa United (12th, 14 points) came from behind to beat Plateau United 2-1, while Shooting Stars (9th, 16 points) were held 1-1 by Katsina United (10th, 16 points) in Ibadan.
Barau vs Wikki Tourists ended goalless, leaving Wikki still struggling in 14th place on 13 points. Enugu Rangers, also on 13 points, were frustrated in another 0-0 draw against El Kanemi Warriors, that keeps them mid-table with games in hand.
With just five points separating the top eight teams, the NPFL title race is heating up — and Abia Warriors’ rise to the summit sets the stage for a thrilling run of fixtures ahead as we approach the half way mark.
