Sunday powers Abahani

Nigerian marksman Sunday Chizoba struck a brace to guide holders Dhaka Abahani to an emphatic 3-1 win over Rahmatganj in the Bangladesh Premier League after Chittagong Abahani posted a laboured 1-0 win over Arambagh in the day's first match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The brace meant that Sunday, who was signed during the mid-season transfer window, has struck six goals in as many matches while helping Abahani record five straight wins.

The 28-year-old powered Abahani to the title last season with a league-high 19 goals, was not signed for the first leg of the tournament due to injury. However, his return in the second leg has been significant in Abahani's recovery in the second phase of the professional football league.

With a 12th win from 17 games, Abahani are now second with 39 points, just three behind leaders Chittagong Abahani, who raised their tally to 42 points from 17 matches.

Although Abahani had to toil hard to beat Sheikh Russel in their previous match, the Dhanmondi-based outfit had a comparatively easy affair against Rahmatganj, breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute after putting huge pressure on their defence.

Rahmatganj goalkeeper Mohammad Razib spilled a low cross from winger-turned-right-back Saad Uddin and the ball fell straight to an unmarked Sunday, who made no mistake prodding home from close range. He doubled the margin in the 33rd minute with a dazzling run, dribbling past two defenders and goalkeeper Razib before stroking into an empty goal.

Rahamatganj pulled one back in the 55th minute through Afeez Oladipo's header, but Abahani wrapped up the victory in the 58th minute through a header from Nabib Newaj Jibon.

In the day's first match, leaders Chittagong Abahani were made to work hard for their win against a spirited Arambagh, who held their superior opponents for 74 minutes before defender Sushanta Tripura headed a Zahid Hossain free-kick home to separate the both sides.