NPFL WRAP: TOP FOUR REMAIN UNCHANGED

The title-favourites in the Nigeria Professional Football League failed to show the stuff of champions on match-day 14, on an exciting weekend which saw the top four remain unchanged with 29 goals scored.

MFM FC  Chijioke Akuneto netted a brace within the space of 20 minutes to complete a 2-1 fightback for MFM FC against Katsina United, having fallen behind to Garba Yashau's 35th-minute goal. 

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC came from behind courtesy of two second half goals from substitute Akuneto Chijioke to claim a 2-1 triumph over Katsina United in a Matchday 14 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) decided on Sunday at the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium.

An eventful 45 minutes of the exchange saw both teams claim possession of the ball with good passing skills as they entertained the fans but it was the visitors that made a statement with the only goal in the first half.

The home side had good opportunities to open scoring in the first 10 minutes of the game but Okorom Stanley and Adebayo Waheed were denied by Katsina United goalkeeper, Danjuma Paul who was later substituted with Yinka David after sustaining an injury in the first half.

Lobi Stars completed an impressive comeback to earn a 3-2 home win against Rivers United, a result which ensured they opened a three-point lead at the top. The leaders had trailed at the half-time interval despite going ahead through Ezekiel Mbah's 18th-minute penalty.

The visitors turned the game on its head with two goals in15 minutes through Oche Salefu and Fredrick Obomate, but Austin Ogunye was decisive in the second half by netting a brace, including the match-winner in the final seconds.

Abia Warriors extended their unbeaten run to four games after ending Akwa United's excellent home form with a 1-1 draw. Samson Obi handed the visitors the lead, but Christian Pyagbara saved the Promise Keepers' blushes by netting the leveller in the 84th-minute. Despite the dropped points, Akwa remain second, while Warriors are sixth.

Yaya Kone netted a hat-trick for FC Ifeanyi Ubah to inflict a heavy 3-0 defeat on Plateau United, a third successive league loss for the champions. Kone was in top form, beating four markers before calmly slotting past Dele Ajiboye for the opening goal.

He was at it again in the 55th minute, profiting from Chijioke Alaekwe's pass and skipping past two defenders to score the second. Kone completed his hat-trick from the spot just after the hour-mark, earning a result which eases the relegation worries on the Anambra Warriors.

Kano Pillars' toothless away form took a turn for the worse after being embarrassed 2-1 at bottom club Kwara United. Junior Lokosa extended his phenomenal scoring record by netting his 12th goal of the season to hand the sleeping giants a halftime lead.

Despite holding the advantage past the hour-mark, Pillars were pegged back within a space of six minutes -- Sunday Okechukwu's 64th-minute leveller before Lukman Binuyo completed the comeback with a superb strike to earn Abubakar Bala a dream managerial start.

Despite suffering a third loss and remaining winless on the road this season, Pillars remain third on the log, albeit trailing the leaders by five points.

Enyimba became the first team to score a goal and earn a point on the ground in an eventual 1-1draw against Yobe Desert Stars.

Home-based Super Eagles forward Mustapha Ibrahim gave Enyimba a strong start with the fifth-minute lead. Philip Auta drew the hosts level from the spot to preserve their top four position, while Enyimba -- with two outstanding games -- drop out of the top half and two points above the relegation zone.

Enugu Rangers threw away a two-goal lead at Go Round FC, eventually been forced to a 2-2 draw by the privately-sponsored team in Omoku. Ifeanyi George netted a first-half brace for the Flying Antelopes, but the hosts rallied back as Okon Otop reduced the deficit, before Chile Azu levelled matters for Go Round.

Katsina United came close to scoring in the 33rd minute of the match after a poor defensive play from the hosts but thanks to MFM FC goalkeeper, Ospino Egbe for stopping Martins Usule's goal-bound attempt. Two minutes later, Garba Yashau put the Katsina-based team in front with a fine finish from way out off an assist by Usule.

MFM FC made two quick changes before the kick off of the second 45 minutes. Akuneto Chijioke and Akinyemi Nojeem were introduced for Ayinde Abiodun and Adebayo Waheed respectively.

The Olukoya Boys drew level after two minutes of play in the second half via a well taken free kick by Akuneto after a foul on Akinyemi few metres away from the visitors box.

Katsina United had a chance to double their lead in the 65th minute of the contest following an infringement on Garba Yashua but Ospino pulled a big save as he denied Tasiu Lawal a chance of getting on the score sheet after a well struck free kick.

MFM FC piled more pressure on the away team in search of the second with Ademola Adeshola initiating a counter from the midfield, he connected Onuwa Chukwuka with a lovely pass.

The diminutive midfielder dribbled past his markers following a nice footwork and located Akuneto Chijioke who then put the ball beyond Katsina goalkeeper.

The win saw MFM FC climb to the top half of the table as they now occupy the seventh spot on the table with 19 points from 14 matches, seven points behind leaders, Lobi Stars.Abba Umar and Shammah Tanze's brace handed Wikki Tourists a 3-0 home win against El-Kanemi Warriors in the north-east derby, while Austin Igenepo's seventh-minute winner handed Niger Tornadoes maximum points against Sunshine Stars, moving them fifth on the back of a five-game unbeaten run.

John Uche's late penalty handed Heartland a 2-1 home win against Nasarawa United, a result which halted the relegation-threatened side's four-game losing streak.