NPFL: Insurance broken as Enyimba, Rivers United pick continental tickets

By Olusola Adebayo 

Bendel Insurance's unbeaten streak in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL 2023 was broken by Rivers United on Thursday at the ongoing Championship playoff in Lagos.

Rivers United ended the Benin Arsenals' dream of running the whole length of the season without losing a game.

Before this encounter. Bendel Insurance had gone 10 draws and 11 victories in 21 games with zero losses, a run which started in January when the season started.

Morice Chukwu and Onojo Joseph scored the goals which ensured that Rivers United inflicted on them their first loss of the season which proved to be a too-costly as the match ended 2-1.

The defeat left them heartbroken and effectively knocked them out of the title race and left them with a slim chance of finishing among the top 3 which guarantees a continental ticket next season.

However, their destiny is still in their hands as they are condemned to win or burst it against Remo Stars on the final day of the playoff on Sunday.

Though the Benin Arsenal can still hope of playing on the continent next season by winning the 2023 Federation Cup against Rangers on June 21st, 2023 in Asaba, Delta State.

The victory meant Rivers United is still in the race to finish tops with a continental ticket already in the bag. The

They need a victory against Enyimba on Sunday for them to retain the title as both teams are tied on point with Enyimba leading on goal difference.

 
Enyimba made light work off Sunshine Stars courtesy of a 3-0 victory against Owena Whales to ease their passage to the continent and remain top of the playoff table, needing a draw to win the league title against Rivers United on Sunday.

Chijioke Mboama eight minutes quick double put the Aba-based side in the driving seat while Ikenne Cooper capped it with the third goal in the second stanza.

In the other match of the day on Thursday, Remo Stars recorded the first victory in the Play-offs after defeating Lobi Stars by two goals to nil.

Junior Lokosa and Adams Olamilekan scored the goals for the Ikenne-Based Side, to boost their chances of making it a back-to-back qualification for the continent.

 Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars are out of the race.