NPFL: ‘Four star’ Insurance demolish Ikorodu City as Rangers climb to NPFL summit
Matchday 28 of the Nigeria Premier Football League delivered major shifts in the title race, with Enugu Rangers climbing to the top of the table and Bendel Insurance producing the
Matchday 28 of the Nigeria Premier Football League delivered major shifts in the title race, with Enugu Rangers climbing to the top of the table and Bendel Insurance producing the most emphatic result of the weekend.
At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance overwhelmed former league leaders Ikorodu City in a commanding 4–0 victory. The Benin Arsenal were ruthless from start to finish, dismantling their visitors with clinical precision.
Alex Oweilayefa was the star of the show, netting a superb hat-trick in the 15th , 27th and 59th minute. Wisdom Udom added his name to the score sheet in the 24th minute to cap a dominant outing for Coach Kennedy Boboye’s side.
The victory lifted Insurance to sixth position with 41 points, while Ikorodu City slipped to third on 45 points.
In Enugu, Rangers maintained their impressive run with a composed 2–0 triumph over Nasarawa United. Godwin Obaje opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Chidiebere Nwobodo doubled the advantage eight minutes later.
The win propelled the Flying Antelopes to the summit of the NPFL standings with 47 points from 28 matches, edging past Rivers United (46 points) and Ikorodu City (45 points).
In Ikenne, Remo Stars strengthened their survival hopes with a crucial 2–0 home victory against Katsina United. Haruna Hadi struck twice within two minutes (60th and 62nd) to seal all three points, although the Sky Blue Stars remain in 18th position with 30 points.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves settled for a goalless draw, a result that saw the Ikon Allah Boys drop to 12th with 35 points.
In Yenagoa, Bayelsa United edged Rivers United 1–0 courtesy of an early own goal by Temple Emekayi in the 13th minute. The Prosperity Boys completed a league double over the Pride of Rivers and climbed to 14th with 34 points, creating some breathing space above the relegation zone.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by bottom-placed Kun Khalifat. James Ekebuike gave the visitors the lead in the 38th minute before Ekene Awazie rescued a point late on. Despite remaining last on 29 points, Kun Khalifat have narrowed the gap in the drop zone, with only three points separating 16th to 20th positions.
Shooting Stars returned to winning ways in Ibadan with a 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. Goals from Sodiq Ibrahim and Qamar Adegoke secured the win, while Mustapha Jibrin scored a late consolation for Pillars. Shooting Stars are seventh with 41 points, whereas Pillars sit 17th on 32 points.
In Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors defeated Abia Warriors 2–0. Daddy Abdulrahman converted a first-half penalty before Bashir Musa sealed the victory late on. The Borno Army moved into eighth with 41 points, while Abia Warriors are fifth on 43.
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Meanwhile, Kwara United secured a narrow 1–0 win over Wikki Tourists, thanks to Akeem Akanni’s 15th -minute strike. Despite the victory, the Harmony Boys remain in the relegation zone in 18th spot with 30 points.
Barau FC will face Plateau United in Kano today in the last game of Matchday 28.
NPFL Matchday 28 Results
Insurance 4–0 Ikorodu City
Enugu Rangers 2–0 Nasarawa United
Remo Stars 2–0 Katsina United
Niger Tornadoes 0–0 Warri Wolves
Bayelsa United 1–0 Rivers United
Enyimba 1–1 Kun Khalifat
Shooting Stars 2–1 Kano Pillars
El-Kanemi Warriors 2–0 Abia Warriors
Kwara United 1–0 Wikki Tourists
