For the first time this season, Bendel Insurance dropped points in this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). But the Benin Arsenal will remain top of Group A as Matchday 6 are concluded in eight centres today.
Insurance won all five of their matches – three of them on the road. But they could not add to their winning streak when Gombe United visited Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City yesterday. The game ended goalless, the result bringing Insurance’s point haul to 16, four points clear of Remo Stars who are away to 2020/21 champions Akwa United in Uyo today.
Gombe have seven points from six matches and will be hoping for favourable results in today’s fixtures to remain at No 6 in the 10-team group.
Remo Stars will stay at second spot, no matter the outcome of the match as they have established a five-point advantage over the chasing quartet of Enyimba, Akwa United, Plateau United and Gombe United. The last team have no game in hand.
In Group B, Abia Warriors temporarily stepped into second spot after beating hosts Dakkada 4-2 yesterday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The visitors were two goals up by the 48th minute through Emmanuel Onu (27th) and John Peter (48th). But Dakkada reduced the deficit through Emmanuel Ayaosi in the 65th minute, only for Felix Aniekwe to restore the two-goal advantage in the 79th minute.
Dakkada’s Aniekan Ekpe Okon (84th) and the Warriors’ Monday Yakubu (90th) had the final words.
The result means that Dakkada will drop into the relegation zone of two teams if Bayelsa United get positive result in Akure against Sunshine Stars, or Wikki Tourists beat visiting Rangers by as much as a three-goal difference.
Defending champions Rivers United control the affairs in Group B having garnered 13 points from five encounters. But they have Lobi Stars ready to shake the table, as they are only a point short.
Nasarawa United (Group A) and Wikki Tourist (Group B) are in search of their first win after five matches each.
Today’s matches
Group A: Enyimba v El-Kanemi Warriors (3 pm WAT), Shooting Stars v Nasarawa United, Akwa United v Remo Stars, Plateau United v Kwara United (all 4 pm WAT)
Group B: Sunshine Stars v Bayelsa United, Niger Tornadoes v Lobi Stars, Wikki Tourists v Rangers, Doma United v Rivers United (all 4 pm WAT)
