NPFL MD10 Wrap: Insurance hold Enyimba as Abia Warriors earn draw at Rivers United

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The second stanza of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) kicked off on Saturday with Niger Tornadoes’ 2-1 win over Dakkada FC in Uyo.

David Okoromi and Jonas Emmanuel’s first half strikes were enough to guarantee an away victory for the Minna based outfit despite Aniekan Ekpe Okon’s late effort from the spot for the hosts at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

On Sunday, two-times African Champions, Enyimba FC almost ended Bendel Insurance’s nine-match unbeaten run but Imade Osarenkhoe’s 81st-minute powerful free-kick salvaged a point for Monday Odigie’s side.

Emeka Obioma had given the People’s Elephant the lead in the 44th minute from the penalty spot.

The draw extended Insurance’s unbeaten run to ten games.

In Port Harcourt, Morice Chukwu’s 90th-minute goal helped Rivers United to a 1-1 draw with Abia Warriors after Nweke Kalu’s 48th-minute opener for the visitors.

Samuel Anakwe’s acrobatic goal in the 16th minute secured a 1-0 win for Remo Stars over Nasarawa United at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

Two goals from Cyril Olisemah and Taiye Muritala lifted Akwa United to a 2-0 victory against Shooting Stars at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe.

Anthony Omaka and Salad Kadiri converted two late strikes to ensure that Kwara United earned a 2-0 triumph over El-Kanemi Warriors.

Plateau United also secured a 2-0 win over Gombe United in Jos thanks to goals from Izuchukwu Chimezie and Silas Nenrot.

Shooting Stars picked valuable away points with a 1-1 draw against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi as the early kick-off between Rangers International and Bayelsa United ended 2-1 in favour of the host in Enugu.

Rangers had to come from a goal down after Alex Oyowah had given the Yenegoa-based side the lead in the 34th minute.

Two penalties in the second half from Godwin Obaje and Chidera Ezeh completed the comeback.

Bendel Insurance maintained its top position in Group A with 24 points after ten games ahead of Akwa United (18 points), Plateau United (17 points), Enyimba (17 points), Remo Stars (17 points), Kwara United (12 points), Gombe United (10 points), Shooting Stars (10 points), Nasarawa United (7 points), and El-Kanemi Warriors (5 points).

Rivers United occupy the leadership position in Group B with 19 points ahead of Lobi Stars (19 points), Sunshine Stars (16 points), Abia Warriors (15 points), Niger Tornadoes (15 points), Doma United (15 points), Wikki Tourists (9 points), Bayelsa United (8 points), and Dakkada FC (7 points).