NPFL MD9 Wrap: Insurance stay unbeaten, Shooting hold Akwa in four-goal thriller

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Group A leaders, Bendel Insurance maintained its perfect record with a 1-0 win over two times African champions, Enyimba in Benin City as the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League season reached match day nine with six games across the country on Sunday.

Rave of the moment, Imade Osehenkhoe broke the deadlock for the Benin Arsenals as early as in the 23rd minute for what eventually turned out the matchwinner at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

In a highly entertaining encounter at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Shooting Stars forced Akwa United to a 2-2 draw with all four goals coming in the first half.

Joshua Akpan opened the scoring for the Oluyole Warriors in the 15th minute before Uche Collins equaliser five minutes later.

Liman Ahmadu gave the visitors a 23rd-minute lead while Ibrahim Ajani equalised for Shooting Stars in the additional minutes of the first half.

In Sapele, Bayelsa United forced Rangers International to a 1-1 draw at the Sapele Township Stadium.

Godwin Obaje’s opener for Rangers was canceled by Robert Mizo in the 41st minute. Bayelsa, however fought back as David Okoromi’s 42nd-minute goal was enough to hand Niger Tornadoes a 1-0 win against Dakkada FC.

At the Akure Township Stadium, Samson Olasupo converted Sunshine Stars’ lone goal against Wikki Tourists.

The remaining games of the round will hold on Monday.

Bendel Insurance tops Group A with 23 points ahead of Enyimba (16 points), Akwa United (15 points), Plateau United (14 points), Remo Stars (14 points), Shooting Stars (10 points), Gombe United (7 points), Kwara United (6 points), El-Kanemi Warriors (5 points), and Nasarawa United (4 points).

In Group B, Lobi Stars leads with 19 points ahead of Sunshine Stars (15 points), Abia Warriors (13 points), Rivers United (13 points), Niger Tornadoes (12 points) Doma United (12 points) Rangers International (9 points), Wikki Tourists (8 points), Dakkada FC (7 points), and Bayelsa United (7 points).