The Nigeria Premier League resumed following a three-week absence with Enyimba losing by a lone goal to Akwa United in Uyo while defending champions Kano Pillars played out a 1-1 draw at FC Taraba in a match that saw each goal scored at the end of each half.

Enyimba came into the encounter on the back of a five-match unbeaten run but failed to extend the run as Kufre Ebong scored Akwa United’s winner on the stroke of half-time.

The result meant the Aba Elephants were unable to close up on champions Kano Pillars, that led at FC Taraba through Adamu Hassan’s goal just before half time and looked set to come away with all three points until Nuru Ahmed struck the equaliser for FC Taraba in the 94th minute.

As a result, Pillars remain top of the league with 44 points from 26 matches, with Nasarawa United failing to take advantage of the result in Taraba but maintaining second spot with 41 points following a disappointing 3-0 loss at relegation threatened Crown FC in Ogbomosho.

Enyimba meanwhile remains third with 40 points while State rival Abia Warriors is now fourth, behind Enyimba on goal difference, following a 2-0 win over Giwa FC in Umuahia in a match Abia striker Peter Onyekachi missed a penalty early in the second half.

Elsewhere in the Nigeria Premier League on Wednesday, a hattrick from Frank Egharevba gave Bayelsa United a 3-1 win over local rival and bottom club Nembe City in Benin while the league’s leading scorer Osaguona Ighodaro scored his 14th of the season to help Rangers to a 2-1 win over Dolphins in Enugu.

Warri Wolves rose to fifth on the league table with 40 points as well courtesy of a 1-0 win at home to Sunshine Stars of Akure while El-Kanemi Warriors came away from Makurdi with a goalless draw against Lobi Stars and Sharks edged Gombe United 1-0 in Port-Harcourt thanks to a Chima Akas freekick 10 minutes into the second half.

Matchday 26 Results

Bayelsa United 3-1 Nembe City
FC Taraba 1-1 Kano Pillars
Heartland 2-0 Kaduna United
Crown FC 3-0 Nasarawa United
Sharks 1-0 Gombe United
Lobi Stars 0-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
Akwa United 1-0 Enyimba FC
Abia Warriors 2-0 Giwa FC
Enugu Rangers 2-1 Dolphins
Warri Wolves 1-0 Sunshine Stars