Rivers United, Remo Stars and Enyimba all recorded vital wins on matchday four of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Super Six playoff.
Reigning NPFL champions Rivers United beat Bendel Insurance 2-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on Friday afternoon in a pulsating encounter.
The loss ends Bendel Insurance’s 21-game unbeaten run in the NPFL this season.
ALSO READ: NPFL Super Six Playoffs: Bendel Insurance remain unbeaten; Enyimba, Remo Stars draw
Insurance went behind when Morice Chukwu opened scoring with a good strike. Although the Benin Gunners tried to come back into the game, their efforts couldn’t count at the other end.
In the second half, Rivers United scored again through Joseph Onoja to go two goals up. Although Divine Nwachukwu, who has just been called up to the Super Eagles squad, pulled one back for Insurance, it only served as a compensation with the Stanley Eguma-tutored side grabbing all three points.
Remo Stars 2-0 Lobi Stars
In the second game of the day played at the same venue, Remo Stars scored two unreplied goals against Lobi Stars to record their first win of the NPFL Super Six.
Junior Lokosa drew the first blood with a simple header in the first half after a delightful cross.
The Stars of Remo dominated proceedings and were rightly rewarded a second before the first half ended. It was Adams Olamilekan who scored a beautiful goal in the 26th minute to extend the lead.
The second half turned out goalless but Coach Daniel Ogunmodede and his charges smiled as they recorded an important win.
Sunshine Stars 0-3 Enyimba
Enyimba international Football Club flogged Sunshine Stars of Akure 3-0 in the third and final game of the day.
The Aba giants hit the ground running as they took the lead three minutes into the match. Chijioke Mbaoma scored when a Sunshine Stars player committed a blunder that left the Enyimba striker one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Mbaoma wasted no time in releasing a strong left footed shot that beat the goalkeeper.
Five minutes later, Enyimba netted another. Mbaoma was the goalscorer yet again. He raced onto a swift pass before beating the Sunshine Stars goalkeeper, Daniel with another shot with his left foot.
The match was put beyond the Owena Whales’ reach when Ikenna Cooper struck a direct free-kick into the net. At 3-0, Finidi George and his technical crew knew the job was already done. Enyimba are now in a solid position heading into the final day of the playoffs where they’ll face Rivers United.
While speaking after their match, Rivers United head coach, Stanley Eguma attributed his team’s win against Bendel Insurance to a well laid out plan.
ALSO READ: NPFL: Bendel Insurance shock Akwa United in season opener
”We had a plan going into the game and the players sticked to it. We know they are a quality side but our good plan gave us victory,” Eguma said after the game.
“The game was not easy, both teams came out determined to win. I must commend my boys for playing to instruction.
“This a good a win for us. Now we can look forward to the last game with confidence.
“I hope we maintain same level of performance and hopefully come out victorious.”
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