NPFL: Bendel Insurance host Tonardoes as Enyimba battles Pillars in Aba

Bendel Insurance are counting on the support of their fans ahead of their matchday 28 fixture against Niger Tornadoes.

The Benin Arsenals will take on the Ikon Allah Boys at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Wednesday.

The Monday Odigie’s side has shifted their focus to the Nigeria Premier Football League after their State Federation Cup triumph over the weekend.

“We now fully shift our attention and direct our energy towards the league engagement with Tornadoes after a successful Edo FA Cup campaign,” the club wrote on their X handle.

“We salute our fans and supporters worldwide as we count on their support again today.”

Bendel Insurance were held to a goalless draw in their previous meeting with Niger Tornadoes in 2019.

Also Enyimba and Kano Pillars in Aba.

With 13 titles between them (Enyimba with nine and Pillars four), the meeting of both sides usually comes with intensity, thanks to their respective regional supremacy, which has fuelled their rivalry as two of the biggest sides in the NPFL.

In their previous 23 games, Enyimba won 10 while Pillars triumphed in 11, including the first leg this season, while two other games have ended in draws.

Coming into Wednesday’s encounter, both teams currently sit out of the continental spots on the log (Enyimba – 45 fourth and Pillars – 41 sixth), and the result will go a long way towards propelling their ambitions with just four points between them.

Pillars captain, Rabiu Ali, in an interview with Punch newspaper, termed the fixture the biggest rivalry he has been involved in the NPFL and also stressed on their target of playing on the continent again, just after returning from the second tier.

“The biggest rivalry game I have played for Pillars was our match against Enyimba in 2006. The match was played at our home, Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, but was later taken to Lokoja because of pitch invasion from the home fans,”

 “Pillars are known for high performance in the league, which usually earns us the first and second spots in the table. For this season the club is made up of young players willing to give their best to the team. We will do everything possible to reclaim our position in the league. We want to make sure we finish in the top three,” the 43-year-old said.

In other match-day 28 games today, second-place Lobi Stars are in Lagos, where they will hope to maintain their top spot chase against a Sporting Lagos side who have won their last five home matches just as league leaders Enugu Rangers will host the resurgent Sunshine Stars at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

In the drop zone, Akwa United will be eager to steer clear of relegation waters and extend their unbeaten run in the league to four matches when they take on struggling Doma United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

The Promise Keepers’ last three matches saw them pick seven points from a possible nine with two wins against Bendel Insurance and Plateau United as well as a draw against Gombe United.

With one win each in their last five matches, Bayelsa United and Heartland are entangled in a dogfight in 18th and 19th positions.