The Nigeria Professional Football League returns with a mouth‑watering clash on match‑day 10 of the 2023 abridged season. Eight‑time champions Enyimba travel to Aba to face this season’s best performers, Bendel Insurance, on Sunday. The first leg of the fixture, played in February, ended with Enyimba losing 1‑0 in Benin City, and the Aba Elephants will be looking to avenge that defeat.
Bendel Insurance sit atop the table with 23 points from a possible 27, seven points clear of second‑placed Enyimba, who have 16. The Insurance side will aim to extend their unbeaten run to ten games, while Enyimba hope to close the gap. The match will also feature a showdown between the league’s leading scorers: Chukwuemeka Obioma, who has seven goals, will face Imade Osarenkhoe, second on the list with six. Obioma will be eager to prove himself in front of the Aba crowd after being silenced in the first leg when Osarenkhoe’s goal made the difference.
Both teams have been preparing for the second half of the season, and Enyimba have bolstered their squad by adding last season’s top scorer, Chijioke Akuneto. Bendel Insurance enjoyed a quiet break ahead of the resumption, and coach Monday Odigie expressed confidence that his side will continue from where they left off. “We can say we are almost ready for the start of the second half of the season,” Odigie said. “We have a few days left, and it is time to step up preparations for the task ahead.”
In Group A, third‑placed Akwa United will try to keep pace with the frontrunners when they host struggling five‑time champions 3SC in Uyo. Fourth‑placed Plateau United host Gombe United, while Remo Stars aim to bounce back to winning ways against relegation‑threatened Nasarawa United.
Group B sees leaders Lobi Stars, on 19 points, travel to fifth‑placed Doma United of Gombe. Defending champions Rivers United, a point behind the leaders, welcome fourth‑placed Abia Warriors. Seven‑time champions Enugu Rangers will hope to revive their ailing campaign when they host relegation‑threatened Bayelsa United. The Flying Antelopes sit seventh with nine points after four defeats and three draws, while Bayelsa trail by one point and one place.
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