Enyimba denied Kano Pillars top spot in the Nigeria Professional Football League, while relegation-threatened Kwara United produced a brilliant late comeback at Nasarawa United.
Kano Pillars 1-1 Enyimba
The Nigerian Clasico ended all square in Kano as Pillars' 100 percent home record this season was ended by Enyimba. There was always the fear factor surrounding the visitors in the build-up to the game; coach Paul Aigbogun enjoying a strong record at the Sani Abacha Stadium and the People's Elephant on a five-game unbeaten run. The hosts took the lead in the 36th-minute, with Junior Lokosa breaking the deadlock with his eighth league goal of the season. The People's Elephant were level four minutes later through a generous gift from former defensive strongman Emmanuel Anyawu, whose back-pass rolled in as goalkeeper David Obiozor failed to deal with it. The result extended Enyimba's unbeaten run to six and saw them go fourth in the standings, while Pillars moved up into second.
Nasarawa United 3-3 Kwara United
An six-goal thriller in the north-central derby in Lafia ended even after five second half goals. Despite recording their first away point of the season, Kwara remain in the relegation zone. Seun Sogbeso gave the hosts the lead from the spot in the 18th-minute, but the floodgates only opened in the final quarter of the game. Stephen Alfred got Kwara level with his fourth goal of the season, before Nojeem Olukokun's brace extended the home team's lead. However, Alfred got his second before , before Alfred with his fifth goal of the campaign handed Kwara a lifeline before Michael Ohanu smashed home the leveller in stoppage time.
Heartland 2-1 Wikki Tourists
Kenneth Ikwugbado's dramatic winner in the final minute earned Heartland maximum points to lift the Owerri-based club into seventh-place. Abubakar Umar handed Wikki Tourists a shock 10th-minute lead, but Nnamdi Egbujor restored parity for the hosts six minutes later. The game was headed for a draw until Ikwugbado earned heroes status with the match-winner with virtually the last kick of the game.
Katsina United 3-0 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Goals from Eric Dufegha, Tasiu Lawal and Destiny Ashadi handed Katsina Ua comfortable home win against FC Ifeanyi Ubah which lifted them into fifth-place. The one-sided encounter also witnessed visiting coach Ladan Bosso sent to the stands for dissent, as FC Ifeanyi Ubah remain in the relegation zone and pointless on the road this season.
Rivers United 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Tornadoes' miserable season got worse with an away loss at Rivers to end the weekend bottom of the table. Chikere Osita applied a perfect finish to Bernard Ovoke's assist to hand the Pride of Rivers a 16th-minute lead. Emeka Ogbugh, making his first appearance of the season after his participation at the African Nations Championship, extended the lead after 28 minutes, sealing a win which moved Rivers up to ninth.