NPFL: Shooting, Sunshine secure first wins, Insurance cruise

Match-day four of the Nigeria Premier Football League 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 holders Rivers United overpowered Dakkada in Uyo, it was Bendel Insurance who produced another stunning result after turning back group rivals Remo Stars 3-0 in Benin.

On Sunday, Enyimba got back to winning ways after a 3-0 home win over Kwara United at the Enyimba International Stadium, .

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 in the 68th minute for a win that took Enyimba to third on the Group A table.

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 goals difference.

El-Kanemi Warriors lost 1-0 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, three points off the play-off zone.

In Gombe, Nasarawa United came close to picking up their first three points of the season, but for a stoppage time equaliser by 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 hosts Gombe at the Pantami Stadium.

Bender Insurance lead Group A on 12 points from four games, the only side that has a hundred per cent 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 in the 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 1st 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 United, while Enugu Rangers are still searching for its first win of the season following a goalless draw at Niger Tornadoes.