February, 1 2023.
El-Kanemi Warriors slumped to a 0-1 home defeat to red hot Bendel Insurance of Benin, with Echeta Deputy scoring the solitary goal, in the 29th minute of the encounter in Maiduguri.
Victory for Insurance in one of the headline fixtures of Day-5 in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) means they extended their perfect run of wins to five, and tops the Group B section of the Abridged League with 15 perfect points.
The tally means Insurance are still 3 points clear of Remo Stars, who rose above their 3-0 thrashing in Benin on Saturday to edge Enyimba Int'l of Aba 1-0; with Samuel Anaekwe scoring the fastest goal this season, in the very 1st minute.
A goal either side of halftime, by Ebube Duru, gave reigning champions Rivers United, a hugely deserved 2-0 victory over, managerless Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, whose Head Coach, Kabiru Dogo did not travel to Port Harcourt, only to resign from his position, on Tuesday afternoon.
Victory for the Pride of Rivers for whom Ebube Duru got the opener with a free-kick struck from 30 yards, means Stanley Eguma's team and Insurance of Benin are the only two unbeaten teams, so far this season, while the Tourists from Bauchi remains with just one point after five round of matches.
Troubled Enugu Rangers edged Dakkada FC of Uyo 1-0 in Awka, thanks to Hadi Mohammed's 28th minute goal for the Flying Antelopes, who earned maximum points for the first time, this term.
Not even another switch in venue from Jos to Kaduna, could rescue faltering Nasarawa United as they lost the Old Plateau derby 1-2 to Plateau United of Jos.
King Osanga scored in the 38th minute to restore parity after Mustapha Ibrahim put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute; but Plateau United won it through Ifeanyi Onyebuchi's 69th minute winner, which will surely heap more pressure on Coach Bala Nkiyu.
Kwara United showed some grit and character in their 2-1defeat of Akwa United, for whom Olisehmah Cyril scored a 69th minute goal to cancel out Wasiu Alalade opener in the 14th minute; before Muritala Dagbo won it by scoring four minutes from time.
Gombe United were also 2-1 winners over a misfiring Shooting Stars of Ibadan at the Pantami Stadium, where Yusuf Taiye gave the host the led on 52 minutes, doubled it in the 61st, before Ghali Falke halved the deficit for 3SC four minutes later.
Bello Lukman was the hero as his goal just before the break was all Abia Warriors needed to beat visiting Niger Tornadoes 1-0, and return to winning ways, after two straight losses. www.ckdmedia.ng reports
Bayelsa United forced Doma United to a 1-1 draw in Yenagoa, with Osoboh Osahon's 53rd minute goal giving the visitors a deserved lead, before Samuel Enefiok drew the Prosperity Boys level in the 45th minute.
In Jos, Lobi Stars needed a stoppage time penalty converted by Joseph Atule to edge Sunshine Stars of Akure 1-0.
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