Enyimba, Insurance share spoils in frenetic NPFL clash News

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Enyimba, Insurance share spoils in frenetic NPFL clash

By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 27, 2023

Leading scorers in the 2022/23 abridged Nigeria Professional Football league season, Emeka Obioma of Enyimba and Osarenkhoe Imade of Bendel Insurance were both on target as both sides settled for a 1-1 draw in a pulsating match-day 10 encounter in Aba on Sunday, The PUNCH reports.

Insurance’s visit to Enyimba wasn’t tagged ‘game of the week’ for no reason as the Group A leaders clashed with the eight-time champions with the hope of extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches, while the hosts also needed to avoid slipping down the play-offs spots.

Having won the first leg 1-0 courtesy of Imade’s goal, the Benin Arsenal were resilient in the opening stages of the game, but they were eventually outwitted by the hosts, whose persistence paid off with a penalty before the end of the first half.

League top scorer Obioma stepped up for the Elephants and notched his eighth goal of the season to give Enyimba the lead into the break.

Insurance turned up the heat in search of an equaliser in the second half and the moment arrived for Imade in the 81st minute, courtesy of a free-kick on the edge of the area, which was won by Ebuka Akobundu.

The striker riffled home beyond the wall and the reach of John Noble, in goal for Enyimba, to level matters for Insurance and take his tally to seven goals this season.

Insurance showed resilience for the remainder of the game and held on to the 1-1 draw which ensured they remain unbeaten so far this season.

Insurance remain top of Group A with 24 points, while Enyimba dropped to fourth-place with 17 points.

Akwa United leapfrogged into second place in the group following their 2-0 win over struggling 3SC in Uyo. Two goals in two minutes by Ubong Friday and Taiye Muritala piled more pressure on Gbenga Ogunbote’s side, who remain on 10 points.

Plateau United’s 2-0 win over Gombe United also saw them move to third place. Chimezie Izuchukwu scored first, before Nenrot added the second in stoppage time.

In Group B, defending champions Rivers United needed a last minute penalty by Morice Chukwu to salvage a 1-1 draw against Abia Warriors just as mid-season signing, Cletus Eba, rescued a point for Sunshine Stars away in Bauchi against Wikki Tourists.

Enugu Rangers resumed the second stanza coming from a goal down to beat Bayelsa United 2-1 in Awka.

Source Punch Ng

Posted March 27, 2023