The second stanza of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) got under way this weekend with 21 goals scored in the 10 matches. Here is a recap of the Matchday.
In the Group A top of the table clash between Enyimba and Bendel Insurance, the visitors picked up a draw to remain unbeaten after Matchday 10.
The People’s Elephant took the lead in the 43rd minute when in-form striker, Chukwuemeka Obioma converted from the spot. However, Insurance snatched a late equaliser, and it was another in-form striker Imade Osarenkhoe who converted in the 80th minute.
The result means that Insurance remain top of the group with 24 points, while Enyimba go down to fourth on the log.
Akwa United moved into second place on the log, replacing Enyimba, after a comprehensive 2-0 win over Shooting Stars at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. After a drab first half, the Promise Keepers turned the heat in style in the second half with Friday Ubong (52nd minute) and Taye Muritala (54th minute) scoring the goals to clinch all three points.
Goal!!!!! Wikki 1 : 0 Sunshine Stars #NPFL pic.twitter.com/I4PWwZ61bd
— Mr Right (@shai_dude) March 26, 2023
Akwa United are currently on a five match unbeaten run, while Shooting remain winless in its last four matches and dangerously close to the relegation zone. The Oluwole Warriors are eighth on the log with 10 points, three points from ninth placed Nasarawa United.
In Jos, Plateau United moved a step up to third on the log after brushing aside Gombe United 2-0 at the New Jos Stadium. Plateau took the lead through Izuchukwu Chimezie in the 32nd minute, while Silas Nenrot sealed the win in the 86th minute.
The defeat leaves Gombe United on seventh on the log with 10 points, three points from safety.
Remo Stars ended its four-match winless run after a narrow 1-0 win over struggling Nasarawa United at Ikenne-Remo. The all important goal for the Stars was scored by Samuel Anakwe in the 15th minute, a goal that condemned Nasarawa to its third straight away defeat.
Finally in Group A, Kwara United are now unbeaten in three matches after beating bottom side El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 in Akure, their adopted home ground. United had to leave it late with both goals coming in the final quarter of the match. Omaka Anthony opened scoring in the 79th minute, while Samad Kadiri got the second in the 88th minute.
The win takes Kwara up to sixth on the table with 12 points, five points from the championship playoff spots.
In Group B, Nigeria’s representative at the CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United snatched a late draw to avoid an embarrassing defeat to Abia Warriors as the match ended 1-1 at the Adokiye Amessiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt. The result enables the Pride of Rivers to go on top of the table, displacing Lobi Stars.
Abia Warriors had taken the lead in the 51st minute through Nweke Kalu and looked like they were going to take all three points but for Maurice Chukwu who equalised in the 90th minute for Rivers United.
Rivers United have the same 19 points and goal difference with former Group B leaders Lobi Stars, but have scored more goals than the Makurdi side, while Abia Warriors are fourth with 15 points, one point from the playoff spots.
Sunshine Stars moved up to third on the log after a 1-1 draw away to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi. The Tourists who unveiled eight new players prior to kickoff took the lead when Mohammed Guda scored in the 49th minute and looked like it would hold on to a win but Sunshine levelled through in the 85th minute.
Rangers are now four points from the championship playoff spots after coming from behind to beat newly promoted Bayelsa United 2-1 at the Awka City Stadium. Alex Oyowah put the visitors in front in the 35th minute but two second half penalty conversions by Godwin Obaje ensured that the Flying Antelopes begin the second half of the season on a winning note.
Lobi Stars succumbed to an away 0-2 defeat to newly promoted Doma. Daniel Barnabas opened scoring in the 54th minute, while Maurice Chigozie converted a penalty in the 94th minute to ensure all three points for Doma United who are now sixth on the table, one point from the playoff spots while Lobi Stars are second on the log on 19 points.
Results
Group A
Enyimba 1-1 Bendel Insurance
Akwa United 2-0 Shooting Stars
Remo Stars 1-0 Nasarawa United
Kwara United 2-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
Plateau United 2-0 Gombe United
Group B
Wikki Tourists 1-1 Sunshine Stars
Rivers United 1-1 Abia Warriors
Rangers 2-1 Bayelsa United
Doma United 2-0 Lobi Stars
Dakkada 1-2 Niger Tornadoes
Courtesy: IMC Media
