NPFL MD7 Wrap: Shooting Stars and Bendel Insurance draw in four-goal thriller

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Plateau United forced Remo Stars to a 1-1 draw at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State as the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League matchday seven games were concluded on Sunday.

Segun Olalere’s 37th-minute goal from a rebound opened the scoring for the Sky Blue Stars but Ibrahim Mustapha in the 49th minute headed in Fidelis Ikechukwu’s side equaliser after a mix-up in the box by Remo Stars defenders.

In Maiduguri, El Kanemi Warriors also forced visiting Akwa United to a 1-1 draw at the El Kanemi Stadium.

Cyril Olisemah’s 45th-minute goal gave the visitors the shock lead before a second half effort of Agnaza Junior ensured the share of the spoils.

Elsewhere, Sunshine Stars earned a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes at the Akure Township Stadium.

Udom Ekerette and Samson Olasupo scored the Akure-based side’s two goals in the first half to hand the hosts a clinical victory in Akure.

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with Group A leaders, Bendel Insurance.

Imade Osehenkhoe and Ismael Seriki had given the visitors a comfortable 2-0 lead before goals from Ayodeji Malomo Taofeek and Opeoluwa Olufemi ensured that the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

At the Aper Aku Stadium, Lobi Stars of Makurdi edged Dakkada FC 2-1 thanks to goals from Joseph Atule and Kumaga Suur while Emmanuel Ayaosi pulled a goal back for the visitors.

Chidera Ezeh’s 38th-minute penalty was enough to hand Enugu Rangers a 1-0 triumph against Doma United.

In Aba, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi relied on Abdulsalam Abdulsalam’s 88th-minute equaliser canceled out John Peter’s 28th-minute header for Abia Warriors at the Enyimba International Stadium.

Earlier on Saturday, Nasarawa United picked its first win of the season with a 2-0 triumph over Kwara United while Enyimba secured a 2-1 win away at Gombe United.

Bendel Insurance tops Group A with 17 points ahead of Enyimba (13 points) Remo Stars (13 points), Akwa United (11 points), Plateau United (11 points), Shooting Stars (9 points), Gombe United (7 points) and El Kanemi Warriors (5 points) while Kwara United (5 points) and Nasarawa United (4 points) occupy the relegation spots in the group.

Lobi Stars top Group B with 16 points ahead of Abia Warriors (13 points), Rivers United (13 points), Sunshine Stars (12 points), Doma United (9 points), Niger Tornadoes (8 points), Enugu Rangers (8 points), and Bayelsa United (5 points), as Wikki Tourists (5 points) and Dakkada FC (4 points) seats at the basement of the table.