Battle for the NPL title goes down to the wire on the last day

The title quest in this
season's Nigeria Premier
League (NPL) will be
determined on the final
day after contenders,
Lobi Stars and Kano
Pillars won their games
on Wednesday.
In Katsina-Ala, Lobi
Stars started off well
with the impressive
Tony Okpotu scoring
inside seven minutes
against fellow title
contenders, Enugu
Rangers.
Jonah Abutu made it
two from the spot on
19 minutes after
Okpotu was fouled
inside the box.
At half time, Akwa
United and the third
title contenders, Kano
Pillars were on a
stalemate leaving Lobi
top of the NPL
standings with a point
lead.
Ten minutes inside the
restart, attacking
midfielder Nasiru Ali
scored to take Kano
Pillars top with a point
over Lobi Stars.
But the drama was not
over in Katsina-Ala as
Rangers capitulated.
Okpotu, who proved a
handful for the Flying
Antelopes all afternoon,
got his second and
Lobi's third just six
minutes past the hour
mark.
Okpotu took his league
goals this term to eight.
Back in Uyo, Kano Pillars
showed no signs of
missing their influential
midfielder, Gabriel
Reuben, as they
conveniently kept the
score at one-nil to go
top on 64 points - one
above Lobi.
The win for Pillars mean
they got 13 games
unbeaten in league and
Cup competitions this
season and also keep
their bragging rights of
not losing to Akwa
United since 2007 in the
top flight.
Rangers drop to third on
61 points, as their the
hoodoo of their 28-year-
old title drought
continue to haunt them.
Niger Tornadoes
recorded the highest-
scoring win on
Wednesday against
champions, Dolphins
with a 4-0 thumping.
Lukman Mohammed got
a double while Son Hingir
and Nathaniel Orji
completed the rout on
the champions.
Tornadoes gave
themselves a lifeline of
survival as they are
now on 48 points.
Warri Wolves had to rely
on Augustine Amutu's
goal on 20 minutes to
take full points off 3SC,
whose continental
ambition came to a halt.
Also, Enyimba's dream
of finishing in the top
three and winning a
berth into the 2013 Caf
Confederation Cup was
ended by Jigawa Gold
Stars, which beat them
by a goal.
Wikki Tourists
surprisingly defeated
Sharks 3-2 in Port
Harcourt to get their
first win on the road
while Heartland saw off
Gombe United by 2-1 in
Owerri.