NPFL: Bendel Insurance, Lobi Stars Top Group Tables As Sunshine, Tornadoes Get Home Wins

NPFL: Bendel Insurance, Lobi Stars Top Group Tables As Sunshine, Tornadoes Get Home Wins

The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season with Match-day 9 played on Sunday marked the end of First Round of the abridged with teams going on 2023 general election break. 

In Benin, League leaders Bendel Insurance, pipped second place Enyimba FC 1-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin to continue their unbeaten start to the season with 23 points in 9 matches.

Imade Osarenkhoe scored his sixth goal of the season at the halfway mark of the first half to give Monday Odigie’s men a much needed victory and extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points while Enyimba remained in second despite the loss.

At the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Shooting Stars played a 2-2 thriller with Akwa United. Joshua Akpan gave the host the lead early on but two goals in seven minutes from the away side turned the fixture around as a goal by Ajani in the last minute of the first half rescued a point for the Gbenga Ogunbote’s men.

Group B table toppers, Lobi Stars scored two goals in two minutes to stretch their lead at the top of group B after beating Doma United 2-0 at home.

The victory puts the Benue state club four points clear of reigning champions Rivers United who have two games in hand while Doma United failed to enter the qualification places with the defeat.

Samson Olasupo’s 59th minutes strike was the difference in the encounter as Sunshine Stars under the Sun in Akure recorded a famous 1-0 victory over Wikki Tourist to.move into second place on the log while Godwin Obaje’s fifth minute goal was canceled out by Robert Mizo as Bayelsa United were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Enugu Rangers.

Niger Tornadoes wrap up league actions for Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Dakkada FC which moved them to sixth place in group B.

NPFL MatchDay 9 Results & Fixtures

Bendel Insurance 1-0 Enyimba FC

Shooting Stars 2-2 Akwa United 

Bayelsa United 1-1 Rangers Int'l

Lobi Stars 2-0 Doma United 

Sunshine Stars 1-0 Wikki Tourists 

Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Dakkada FC

Tomorrow (Monday 20)

Gombe United Vs Plateau United

Nasarawa United Vs Remo Stars

Wednesday 22, February

Elkanemi Warriors Vs Kwara United

Sunday 4, April

Abia Warriors Vs Rivers United