The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is approaching the end of its abridged 2023 season and teams are continuing to fight for spots in the championship stage known as the “Super Six”. Bendel Insurance did not confirm their passage to the Super Six in style on Sunday but a 1-1 draw at home against Shooting Stars was enough to keep the Benin City club undefeated through seventeen matches. Bendel finished with seven draws in their last eight matches with their strong start keeping them two points clear of Enyimba at the top of Group A.
Enyimba are a draw away from joining Bendel in the Super Six after the People’s Elephant dominated Gombe United 5-0. Emeka Obioma scored the season’s first hat-trick in the victory to keep Enyimba top among a race for two spots with Remo Stars and Akwa United, who both also came through with victories against Plateau United and El Kanemi Warriors respectively.
In Group B, Lobi Stars are a point away from confirming qualification for the Super Six after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Dakkada FC. Rivers United are taking advantage of the games in hand they possess with a 2-1 victory over Bayelsa United moving them into the top three positions. Doma United and Sunshine Stars appear to be the two main contenders for the third spot in the Super Six out of Group B but there is still competition from Abia Warriors to deal with.
On the other end of the table, three teams are confirmed to be relegated. Group A is settled with bottom of the table El Kanemi Warriors set for demotion to the second tier Nigeria National League along with Nasarawa United whose defeat to fellow relegation battlers Kwara United saw the Ibadan side move out of reach from Nasarawa. Dakkada will be relegated out of Group B while Wikki Tourists have work to do if they want to overtake Bayelsa United and escape.
Highlights from several matches are below following the list of scores from the weekend and updated league table.
Scores
Group A
Bendel Insurance 1-1 Shooting Stars
Akwa United 2-0 El Kanemi Warriors
Enyimba 5-0 Gombe United
Plateau United 1-2 Remo Stars
Kwara United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Group B
Dakkada FC 1-1 Lobi Stars
Niger Tornadoes 0-2 Sunshine Stars
Wikki Tourists 4-0 Abia Warriors
Doma United 0-0 Enugu Rangers
Rivers United 2-1 Bayelsa United
League Table
Group A
Group B
Highlights
Bendel Insurance 1-1 Shooting Stars
Akwa United 2-0 El Kanemi Warriors
Kwara United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Rivers United 2-1 Bayelsa United
Dakkada FC 1-1 Lobi Stars
