23 January 2011
Heartland picked up their biggest win of the season after they slammed Zamfara United 3-0 at their new home ground of Calabar.
Enugu Rangers recorded their first point away from home at the expense of Niger Tornadoes in Kaduna as there were also narrow home wins for Kwara United and league leaders Dolphin.
Heartland, Nigerias standard bearers in the CAF Champions League in the past two years, bounced back from a controversial loss at Sunshine Stars the previous weekend to compound the worries of Zamfara.
Right winger Bello Musa Kofarmata opened scoring for the Owerri outfit after just 11 minutes, before Zamfara conceded an own goal six minutes later which youngster Tope Olusesi could lay a claim to.
Skipper Chinedu Efugh wrapped up a big win for Heartland three minutes from time from the penalty spot.
The Naze Millionaires have now leapt to seventh place with 17 points from 12 matches pending matches on Sunday.
Zamfara, on the other hand, are 15th on the table with 12 points from as many matches.
Dolphin extended their lead at the top of the table by four points after they pipped visiting Kano Pillars 1-0 in Port Harcourt.
They have now chalked up 27 points from 12 matches, four points more than closest rivals Sunshine Stars, who were held to a 0-0 draw by JUTH in Kaduna on Friday.
The run of goalless draws in Kaduna was extended for the second day running after Rangers held Niger Tornadoes to a scoreless affair there.
For Rangers, the draw in Kaduna has finally brought to an end a poor record away from home that had hitherto seen them lose all five matches outside the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
The Flying Antelopes are third with 19 points but could be toppled by Warri Wolves, who host bottom club Plateau United on Sunday.
Match winner for Kwara United against Shooting Stars was Kabiru Sanusi, who smashed home courtesy of a left-foot blaster on 23 minutes after he was set up inside the box.
Shooting Stars were reduced to 10 men for the second week running after Akindele Toluwase received his second booking of the day for dangerous play just before the interval.
Kwara were the better team in first half, but 3SC fought back after the break with the introduction of experienced midfielder Babatunde Yusuf.
Sharks held hosts Gombe United to a goalless draw in Bauchi.
Sharks are now 10th on the table with Gombe a spot below.
