A dream start on their return to the top division Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) continued for Bendel Insurance on Wednesday with a 1-0 road victory in Maiduguri against El Kanemi Warriors. Deputy Echeta won the ball off an El Kanemi player in midfield and drove past poor defending from the hosts before slotting in the game’s only goal in the 28th minute. It was an excellent result for the club from Benin City after a long cross country trip to the northeastern corner of Nigeria.
Back in the western half of Nigeria, Kwara United finally earned their first win of the season with a 2-1 home result against Akwa United. Cyril Olisemah equalized for visitors Akwa in the second half to cancel out Wasiu Alalade’s opener leaving the teams level heading into the final ten minutes. However struggling Kwara found their winner in the 86th minute after sustained pressure with Ahmed Jimoh smashing in the rebound following a corner kick. Elsewhere in Group A, Remo Stars kept within three points of leaders Bendel with their match winner coming within the opening seventy seconds for a 1-0 victory over Enyimba.
In Group B, Rivers United and Lobi Stars kept the pace at the top of the table. Rivers defeated Wikki Tourists 2-0 at home with a double from Gideon Duru. Visitors Sunshine Stars held out against a siege from Lobi Stars for over eighty minutes but a late handball in the penalty area gave the hosts their opportunity. Joseph Atule made no mistake from the penalty spot to give the club from Benue State their fourth consecutive victory.
Scores, the updated league table and highlights are all below from the NPFL’s fifth matchday.
Scores
Group A
El Kanemi Warriors 0-1 Bendel Insurance
Remo Stars 1-0 Enyimba
Kwara United 2-1 Akwa United
Nasarawa United 1-2 Plateau United
Gombe United 2-1 Shooting Stars
Group B
Bayelsa United 1-1 Doma United
Rivers United 2-0 Wikki Tourists
Enugu Rangers 1-0 Dakkada FC
Abia Warriors 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Lobi Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars
League Table
Highlights
El Kanemi Warriors 0-1 Bendel Insurance
Kwara United 2-1 Akwa United
Remo Stars 1-0 Enyimba
Lobi Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars
