NPFL: Bendel Insurance undefeated; Sunshine glow

Group B leaders, Bendel Insurance are undefeated in the first stanza of the 2022/23 season as they handed Enyimba their third loss of the season, while Edith Agoye’s Sunshine Stars continued their brilliant start to the season with a narrow win over resurgent Wikki Tourists in Akure on Match Day 9.

Bendel Insurance remain undefeated in the first period of the 2022/2023 season – their first appearance in the top flight in four years – extending their run to nine games. Striker, Imade Osarenkhoe scored the game’s only goal in the 23rd minute to increase his tally for the season to six. The Benin side have now garnered 23 points and comfortably sit seven points clear of second-placed Enyimba.

In-form Uche Collins was on the scorer’s sheet again as Akwa United were forced to a 2-2 draw by Shooting Stars at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. 3SC got the game’s opening goal through Joshua Akpan before the visitors scored twice in five minutes to turn the game on its head. Collins first fired home after some good work from Wisdom Fernando in the 21st minute before Ahmadu Liman slammed home Cyril Olisema’s freekick attempt that came off the woodwork moments later. Meanwhile, veteran Ajani Ibrahim then restored parity deep into first-half stoppage time to draw the Oluyole Warriors level. No further goals after the break as the home side remain winless in three games.

Group B

Sunshine Stars zoomed into second place with a nervy 1-0 win over resurgent Wikki Tourists in Akure on Sunday. Former Remo Stars striker Samson Olasupo’s header after the break was all Edith Agoye’s side needed to bring the Elephants down to earth.

In Jos, Lobi Stars edged Doma United 2-0 to continue their grip on top spot. Two goals in the opening ten minutes of the game was enough for the Pride of Benue to extend their winning run at home to five games. In-form Joseph Atule and Abba Umar got the goals for Baba Ganaru’s side.

Niger Tornadoes returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Dakkada in Kaduna. David Okoromi’s goal before the break was enough, despite the penalty miss in the second half, to ease pressure on coach Abubakar Bala.

Bayelsa United continued their poor run of form as they dropped points to Enugu Rangers in Yenagoa. Former Abia Warriors Striker Godwin Obaje handed the away side the lead before Robert Mizo hammered home his fifth goal of the campaign to help the Restoration Boys avoid defeat.

Match Day 9 continues on Monday and Wednesday before the league goes on a mid-season break to cover the Nigerian elections and State FA Cups.