Rivers United suffered a defeat in Bauchi to cut their lead over title arch-rivals Plateau United, who narrowly secured a slim win over Kano Pillars in Jos on Sunday.
The Pride of Rivers had on matchday31 extended the lead over Plateau United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Portharcourt, where the lead leaders in a cracker reaffirmed their dominance to clinch the 2021-22 season title of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
With a first-half goal by Manu Garba to put the home team ahead, Rivers United could not render the game to parity throughout the entire minutes at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.
While against the visiting Kano Pillars, Plateau United through a 40-minute effort from Jesse Akila, earned a vital win at Jos Stadium to reignite their title hopes with six games left to process.
As it stands, the Pride of Rivers need to secure three wins and a draw with a higher goals difference to win the league in the remaining six games to be crowned league champions.
Results from other parts of the nation on matchday22 saw Enugu Rangers lose 2-0 to Abia Warriors, Enyimba of Aba suffered a 2-1 defeat to Niger Tornadoes, Remo Stars narrowly edged Gombe 1-0 while MFM played a barren draw at home with Lobi Stars.
Also, visiting Nasarawa United lose 2-1 to Sunshine Stars of Akure, Kwara United humbled Katsina United a 2-0 win, Heartland of Owerri defeated Akwa United 1-0 while Dakkada battered Shooting Stars of Ibadan 2-0.
Rivers United will host Abia Warriors in their next fixture in Portharcourt while Plateau United will travel to Ibadan to play Shooting Stars (3SC) in a fans-ban stadium following the sanction by the League Management Company (LMC) on 3SC.
