MatchDay 4 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) began on Saturday with two fixtures in Benin and Uyo and was rounded off with the rest of the remaining eight fixtures across the two groups.
While title holders, Rivers United overpowered Dakkada in Uyo, it was Bendel Insurance that produced a stunning result after turning back top spot rivals, Remo Stars 3-0 in Benin.
On Sunday, Enyimba got back to winningways after a 3-0 home win over Kwara United at the Enyimba International Stadium Aba. The People’s Elephant had a fast start scoring twice in the first 20 minutes.
Chukwuemeka Obioma opened scoring in the 11th minute, while Ademola Adebambo doubled the lead for the NPFL record winners. Obioma got his brace scoring in the 68th minute for a win that took Enyimba to third on the table in Group A.
Akwa United made it two wins in a row after edging Plateau United 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The crucial goal was scored in the 79th minute by James Ajako to take the Promise Keepers to fourth on the Group A table, level with Enyimba on seven points but behind on goal difference.
El Kanemi Warriors lost 0-1 away to Shooting Stars at Ibadan for Coach Gbenga Ogunbote’s first win. After a keenly contested goalless first half, the deadlock was broken in the 79th minute when Tiza Samuel nodded in the winner. The win takes Shooting to fifth place on five points, two points off the playoff zone.
In Gombe, Nasarawa United came close to picking up its first three points of the season but for a stoppage time equaliser to 10-man Gombe United. The match ended 1-1. The Lafia side took the lead after 21 minutes through striker Chinedu Ohanachom but Taye Yussuf scored a stoppage time penalty to clinch a point for Gombe United.
Bender Insurance lead Group A on 12 points from four games, the only side with a 100 percent record so far.
In Group B, Lobi Stars made it three wins in a row after brushing aside Bayelsa United 3-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi. A second half brace from Kumaga Sur (67th and 77th minutes) put the Stars fully in control in the second half before Umar Abba scored the third.
Lobi Stars are second on the table with nine points, one behind leaders Rivers United who on Saturday picked up a 2-1 away win against Dakkada at Uyo.
Sunshine Stars are another side to pick a first win of the season after a hard-fought 1-0 win against Abia Warriors. A first half-stoppage time goal from Olasupo handed all three points to Sunshine who are now up to fifth on the table.
Wikki Tourists are still bottom of the table after playing out a goalless draw with Doma, while Rangers are still searching for its first win of the season following a goalless draw at Niger Tornadoes.
NPFL23 Matchday 4 results:
Group A
Akwa United 1-0 Plateau
Enyimba 3-0 Kwara United
Gombe 1-1 Nasarawa
3SC 1-0 El Kanemi
Bendel 3-0 Remo
Group B
Lobi 3-0 Bayelsa
Dakkada 1-2 Rivers
Sunshine 1-0 Abia Warriors
Wikki 0-0 Doma
Tornadoes 0-0 Rangers
Wikki 0-0 Doma
Nwankwor reports for IMC Media
