April, 16 2023.
_As Resurgent Bayelsa Utd Floors Lobi Stars in Yenagoa
Kwara United on Sunday fell 1-2 to resurgent Enyimba International of Aba, who registered the only away win of Matchweek 14 of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The Group A encounter was played at the Akure Township Stadium, where the Afonja Warriors also lost their last home game 0-1 to visiting Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
Chijioke Mbaoma opened the scoring for Enyimba in the 27th minute before Samad Kadiri equalized for the host in the 35th, but Mbaoma netted again to complete his brace and sealed the road win for Enyimba.
Victory for the record eight time NPFL Champions, took them to the 2nd spot, on the Group B table with 24 points.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars failed to end the unbeaten run of Bendel Insurance, who dropped points for the fourth game in a row, when being held to a 1-1 draw.
The hosts took the lead through Kwane Mawuna in the 16th minute. But the Benin Arsenal hit back immediately, with Divine Nwanchkwu levelling the scores, in the 20th minute.
Despite there seeming lost of steam by Insurance in the second stanza, and their being undefeated so far this season, they remain top of the Group A log with 28 points, 4 clear of Enyimba; and they have now set a new unbeaten record from the start of the season.
Their 14 games unbeaten run erased the 13-game unbeaten run set by Enyimba in 2005.
Still in Group A, Shooting Stars of Ibadan held El-Kanemi Warrior to a goalless draw in Maiduguri, meaning the promoted Warriors, are still languishing at the bottom of the Group B log with 9 points; and Ibrahim Mustapha netted the only goal in the 36th minute as Plateau United edged Akwa United 1-0, at the new Jos Stadium, same venue where Gombe United held Gombe United to a disappointing 1-1 draw, on Saturday.
In Group B, the miserable run of Rangers International this season, continued unabated on Sunday, as the Flying Antelopes squandered a two-goal lead, and allowed Niger Tornadoes to force a 2-2 draw at the Awka Township Stadium, for a share of the spoils.
Reuben Bala and Kenneth Igboke scored, as Rangers raced to a 2-0 advantage in under 20 minutes but the Ikon Allah Boys fought back in the second half to get a well deserved draw, with Munir Idris netting both goals.
Alberta Kovar's goal was the difference, as
Rivers United was leading by a lone goal against Dalkada FC, before the Referee called off the game, due to unfavorable weather conditions at the Adokiye Amiesimiaka Stadium in Port-Harcourt.
But the result of the day came from Yenagoa, where resurgent Bayelsa United thrashed group leaders Lobi Stars of Makurdi 3-0 to all but extinguish their relegation worries as they are now 7th in the table on 15 points - 4 points clear of the drop zone; whilst Lobi Stars are still topping with 26 points.
Musa Usman scored a double, as promoted Doma United defeated harpless Wikki Tourists of Bauchi 2-0 at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, to leap into 2nd spot on 22 points, 1 point above Abia Warriors, who returned to the top 3 by edging Sunshine Stars of Akure 2-1 in Umuahia.
The abandoned game between Rivers United and Dakkada FC of Uyo, will be concluded on Monday morning, starting from the when the match was halted by a downpour.
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