It’s been four weeks of the unusual for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as Matchday 4 of the season concludes on Sunday in eight centres. Newly promoted Bendel Insurance have already established a perfect result after four games, for the first time in a long, long period in the Nigerian top flight league.
Insurance walloped strong contenders Remo Stars 3-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday to establish a commanding lead in Group A having collected the maximum 12 points.
Imade Osehenkhoe shot Insurance ahead in just five minutes of the game, while Ismael Seriki made it 2-0 21 minutes later, and Austine Ogunye wrapped it all up in the 78th minute.
But despite the setback, Remo Stars are guaranteed the second spot by the time all Matchday 4 encounters are concluded. The Sky Blue Stars have a five point advantange over four teams – Akwa United, Plateau United, Enyimba and El-Kanemi Warriors –who all queue behind them in Group A.
Title holders Rivers United also have a good advantage in Group B after beating Dakkada 2-1 away in Uyo on Saturday.
The Pride of Rivers had to fight back from a 16-minute setback by Isaac George for Dakkada. Nyima Nwagua struck the equaliser in the 36th minute, while Naibe Akpesiri won it for the visitors in the added time of the first half.
From four matches, Rivers United have 10 points – the 1-1 deadlock in Akure against Sunshine Stars on Matchday 2 being the only game they haven’t won.
Three teams – Abia Warriors, Niger Tornadoes and Lobi Stars – all are on six points, four points behind Rivers United.
In Group A, Gombe United, Kwara United, Shooting Stars and Nasarawa United are chasing their first victory of the season. Sunshine Stars and Rangers have the same situation in Group B.
The top three teams in each group will qualify for the Super Six where the champions will emerge.
Today’s fixtures…
Group A: Enyimba v Kwara United, Akwa United v Plateau United (both 3 pm); Gombe United v Nasarawa United, Shooting Stars v El-Kanemi Warriors (4 pm)
Group B: Sunshine Stars v Abia Warriors, Niger Tornadoes v Rangers, Wikki Tourists v Doma United, Lobi Stars v Bayelsa, (all 4 pm)
