Bendel Insurance maintained their unbeaten start to the season after a 2-2 draw away to Shooting Stars at Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan on Sunday.
Insurance took the lead within seconds of the kick-off through Imade Osehenkhoe and doubled their lead in the 37th minute through Ismael Seriki.
But Shooting fought back, first through Ayodeji Malomo just before halftime in the 43rd minute, while Opeoluwa Olufemi got the equaliser in the 69th minute.
The result means that Insurance remain unbeaten after seven matches and are top of Group A with 17 points, five points clear of Enyimba that on Saturday defeated Gombe United 2-1 in Gombe.
Meanwhile, Remo Stars missed the chance to go second after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Plateau United. Oluwasegun Olalere gave Remo the lead in the 37th minute but Plateau equalised just after halftime in the 49th minute through Ibrahim Mustapha.
Akwa United missed the chance of entering the championship playoff places in Group A after being held 1-1 by El Kanemi Warriors. United got the lead through Cyril Olisema in the 30th minute but a late goal by Junior Agnaza (87th minute) rescued a point for El Kanemi who got out of the relegation zone on goal difference over Kwara United.
Lobi Stars remained on top of Group B after brushing aside Dakkada 2-1 at the Aper Akum Stadium, Makurdi.
Lobi were off to a quick start with Joseph Atule scoring in the 9th minute, and Atule would have doubled the lead 12 minutes later but missed a penalty. However, Kumaga Suur doubled the lead early in the second half (47th minute) before Dakkarda pulled one back in the 53rd minute through Emmanuel Ayaosi to set up a tense final 30 minutes. However, Lobi held on to win the match.
In Umuahia, Abia Warriors were held to a 1-1 draw by Wikki Tourists. John Peter gave the Warriors the lead in the 30th minute but an 87th-minute equaliser from Abdulsalam Abdulsalam rescued a point for Wikki, who stay in the relegation places in ninth. Abia Warriors are now second on the table with 13 points.
At Akure, Sunshine Stars revived their championship playoff hopes after a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes thanks to first half goals from Udom Ekrette (12th minute) and Samson Olasupo (30th minute).
The win lifted Sunshine to fourth on the table with 12 points, one behind Rivers United, third on the table but with a game in hand.
If the defending champions win their outstanding fixture against Bayelsa United by two unreplied goals, they will go ahead of the table in Group B.
In Awka, Rangers earned their second win of the season after a narrow 1-0 result over Doma United. The all-important goal was scored by Chidera Ezeh in the 38th minute when he converted a penalty.
The win moves Rangers to seventh on the log with eight points, four points off the relegation spots.
Matchday 7 results
Bayelsa United v Rivers United – 4 pm
Nwankwor writes for the IMC Media
