Bendel Insurance maintained its unbeaten start to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2022/23 season after a gritty 2-2 draw away at Shooting Stars at Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan on Sunday.
The Benin Arsenals flew out of the block early, scoring in the opening minute of the game through Imade Osarenkhoe for his fifth goal of the season before Ismael Seriki made it 2-0 in the 37th minute.
However, the home side got one back through Taofeek Malomo just before the break before Opeoluwa Olufemi got the equalizer in the 69th minute to complete the comeback.
Consequently, the result left Monday Odigie’s side unbeaten after seven games and still top of Group A with 17 points, five points clear of Enyimba that toppled Gombe United 2-1 in Gombe on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, Remo Stars failed to beat Plateau United in Ikenne, after a share of the spoils in a game that was quite entertaining on all fronts. Segun Olalere handed the home side the lead late in the first half but Plateau equalized through Ibrahim Mustapha shortly before the hour mark.
Elsewhere in Group A, Akwa United were pegged back late in the game against Elkanemi Warriors, as the former champions missed the chance to move up the table. The Promise Keepers got the lead through in-form Cyril Olisema in the 30th minute but Junior Agnaza (87th minute) scored to earn his side a point.
Lobi Stars beat Dakkada 2-1 to zoom to the top of Group B. Joseph Atule and Kumaga Suur scored for the Benue side, while Lasisi Adewale grabbed a consolation for the visitors in the keenly contested game at the New Jos Stadium.
Abia Warriors were held to a 1-1 draw by Wikki Tourists in Aba. John Peter handed the home side the lead in the 30th minute but an 87th-minute equalizer from Abdulsalam Abdulsalam rescued a point for Wikki.
Meanwhile, Edith Agoye continued his brilliant start to the season with Sunshine Stars, as they claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes thanks to goals from Udom Ekrette (12th minute) and Samson Olasupo (30th minute).
At the Awka City Stadium, Chidera Ezeh’s 38th minute penalty was all Enugu Rangers needed to beat newly promoted Doma United to claim their second win of the season.
Results in full:
Group A
Gombe United 1-2 Enyimba
Nasarawa Utd 2-0 Kwara Utd
Remo Stars 1-1 Plateau United
El Kanemi Warriors 1-1 Akwa United
Shooting Stars 2-2 Bendel Insurance
Group B
Abia Warriors 1-1 Wikki Tourists
Enugu Rangers 1-0 Doma United
Lobi Stars 2-1 Dakkada FC
Sunshine Stars 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Bayelsa Utd PP Rivers Utd
