NPFL matchday 5 review: Insurance makes it 5/5 as three teams pick season's first win 

By Olusola Adebayo 

Bendel Insurance continued its fine form at the start of the season after picking another victory away from home in Maiduguri. 

The Benin Arsenal defeated Elkanemi Warriors  courtesy of Deputy Echeta's solo effort in the 27th minute.

Thus maintaining their hundred percent winning runs, winning all their five matches played, returning with the maximum 15 points obtainable topping the group A table of the abridged league. 

Rivers United also consolidated their position on top of the f group by recording a 2-0 over coach-less Wikki Tourist, posting their first clean sheet of the season while Wikki Tourist continue their search for their first victory as well as a new coach since Kabiru Dogo resigned 48 from his post 48 hours before the match. 

The week also saw Plateau United, Remo Stars, and Abia Warriors return to winning ways after last weekend's losses by these teams. 

Plateau United defeated troubled Nasarawa United away from home with a 2-1 victory, this brings the total away victory recorded in the NPFL to eleven.

Remo Stars' Samuel Anakwe scored just after seventeen seconds, the fastest goal of the season, and the goal is enough to see off Enyimba FC in the week 5 encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium. 

Abia Warriors defeated Niger Tornadoes by 1-0 to record their first victory in three games and their third victory after five games.

Lobi Stars dimmed Sunshine Stars to make it four straight wins on the bounce as they continue their push for a Super Six finish. 
 

Kwara United scored their first two goals of the season to record their first win of the season as they edged Akwa United by 2-1 in Ibadan on Wednesday evening. 

It was Wasiu Alalade that scored Kwara United's first goal of the season for the records. He opened the scoring in the 15th minute to put an end to the Afonja Warrior's goal drought which spans 375 minutes. 

Muritala got the winner in the 86th minute to give coach Abdulazeez Muhammed some moment of respite after Olisemah Cyril scored for the Akwa United in the 69th and the scoreline remained even until the 86th when it was looking like another share of the spoils for the team but Muri tala's goal was a relieve for the underfire coach when the ball rested at the back of the net. 

Gombe United also recorded a similar scoreline against Shooting Stars of Ibadan to pick their win of the season as well, courtesy of Taye Yusuf's brace in the second half made the difference. 

Rangers International of Enugu also joined the first victory of the season gang when Hadi scored the only goal that decided their against Dakkada in the 30th minute at Awka on Wednesday evening.

The only draw game of the week came at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenogoa when it all ended 1-1 between Bayelsa United and Doma United. 

Match Day 5 Results at a glance 

Nassarawa United 1-2 Plateau United 
Remo Stars 1-0 Enyimba FC 
Kwara United 2-1 Akwa United 
El-Kanemi Warriors 0-1 Insurance 
Gombe United 2-1 Shooting Stars 
Abia Warriors 1-0 Niger TornadoBayelsaelse United 1-1 Doma United 
Rivers United 2-0 Wikki Tourists 
Ranger Int'l 1-0 Dakkada FC 
Lobi Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars 

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