NPFL MATCHDAY 4 ROUNDUP: 3SC, SUNSHINE STARS GRAB FIRST WINS OF THE SEASON
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MatchDay 4 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 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 Cup holders, Rivers United overpowered Dakkada in Uyo, It was Bendel Insurance that produced a stunning result after turning back group top spot rivals, Remo Stars 3-0 in Benin.
On Sunday, Enyimba got back to winning after a 3-0 home win over Kwara United at the Enyimba International Stadium Aba.
The People’s Elephant had a fast start scoring twice in the first twenty minutes.
Chukwuemeka Obioma opened scoring in the 11th minute while Ademola Adebambo doubled the lead for the NPFL record winners. Obioma got his brace scoring in the 68th minute for a win that took Enyimba to 3rd on the table in Group A.
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 4th on the Group A table, level with Enyimba on seven points but behind on goal difference.
El Kanemi Warriors lost 1-0 away to Shooting Stars at Ibadan for Coach Gbenga Ogunbote’s first win.
After a keenly contested goalless 1st half, the deadlock was broken in the 79th minute when Tiza Samuel nodded in the winner. The win takes Shooting to 5th place on five points, three points off the playoff zone.
In Gombe, Nasarawa United came close to picking up its first three points of the season but for a stoppage time equalizer to 10-man Gombe United. The match ended 1-1.
Ā The Lafia side took the lead after 21 minutes throughĀ striker Chinedu Ohanachom but Taye Yussuf scored a stoppage time penalty to clinch a point for Gombe United.
Bender Insurance leads Group A on 12 points from four games, the only side that has a hundred percent 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 (67′,77′) 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 while Enugu Rangers are still searching for its 1st win of the season following a goalless draw at Niger Tornadoes.
NPFL23 Matchday 4 Results:
Group AĀ
Akwa United 1-0 Plateau
Enyimba 3-0 Kwara United
Gombe 1-1 Nasarawa
3SC 1-0 El Kanemi
Bendel 3-0 Remo
Group BĀ
Lobi 3-0 Bayelsa
Dakkada 1-2 Rivers
Sunshine 1-0 Abia Warriors
Wikki 0-0 Doma
Tornadoes 0-0 Rangers
Wikki 0–0 Doma