Remo Stars’ Sodiq Ismail (centre, left) vied with Bendel Insurance’s deputy Echeta during their Nigeria Professional Football League match‑day 14 game in Ikenne on Sunday. The encounter ended in a 1‑1 draw, allowing Bendel Insurance to extend their unbeaten run in the 2022/23 abridged NPFL, according to Sports Extra.
The hosts took the initiative early, with Ifeanyi Anaemena’s header in the seventh minute being parried over the bar by Amas Obasogie. Remo Stars’ persistence paid off in the 16th minute when Franck Kwame headed in a glancing finish from a flick by captain Junior Nduka. Four minutes later, Bendel Insurance responded through Divine Nwachukwu, who slotted home from a well‑worked free‑kick delivered by Ebuka Akobundu.
After the break, Remo Stars continued to press but could not break the visitors’ resistance, while Insurance also created chances of their own. Midway through the second half, Seun Odunsi went down inside the Insurance box after a contest with Ebuka Akobundu, but the referee dismissed his penalty appeal. The match saw ten minutes of added time, yet despite sustained pressure, Remo Stars failed to find a winner, and Insurance held on for a valuable away point, extending their unbeaten streak to 14 matches.
Bendel Insurance’s run of five consecutive draws keeps them atop Group A with 28 points from 14 matches, just one game away from matching the NPFL unbeaten record of 15 games set by Akwa United in 2021. Their next fixture is a home match against struggling El‑Kanemi Warriors on match‑day 15.
Elsewhere in Group A, the battle for survival and top‑three positions continues. In Akure, Chijioke Mboama scored a brace as eight‑time champions Enyimba defeated Kwara United 2‑1 to climb back into the top three. The People’s Elephants leapt into second place with 24 points after Akwa United were beaten 1‑0 by Plateau United in Jos.
In Group B, NPFL debutants Doma United maintained their push for a playoff spot with a 2‑0 win over Wikki Tourists in Gombe, moving temporarily into second place with 22 points from 14 matches. Bayelsa United escaped relegation danger by thrashing table‑toppers Lobi Stars 3‑0 in Yenagoa. The match between Enugu Rangers and Niger Tornadoes ended 2‑2 in Awka, leaving both sides still chasing their respective ambitions.
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