Bendel Insurance hit Delta Stars 3-0 as Remo Stars beat 3SC

Edo ‘Arsenal’ Bendel Insurance yesterday began their long awaited journey back to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) when they defeated Delta Force 3-0 in their opening match of the on-going Nigerian National League (NNL) Super Eight play-off in Aba.

Insurance, one of the traditional teams in Nigerian club football, have been languishing in the second tier of the league for over a decade. But the Benin boys signified their desire to return to the elite class with a superb performance against Delta Force.

Veteran star, Charles Omokaro opened scores for Insurance before Michael Enaruna doubled it through a well struck free kick.

Emmanuel Uangboje made the game safe for his team in the 69th minute when he beat Delta Force’s offside trap to chip the ball over the goalkeeper for the Benin side’s third goal.

In another game in the Southern Zone at the same stadium, Remo Stars demolished another traditional side, 3SC, by 3-0 to also inch close to promotion.

Insurance, Remo Stars, 3SC and Delta Force are in the Southern Zone of the play-off. The first two teams in the group will qualify for the NPFL.

With yesterday’s results, Insurance and Remo Stars need one more win each to gain promotion to the NPFL. And the first team to gain promotion could emerge this evening when Remo hosts Insurance in the last game of the day.

Earlier in the Northern Zone, Gombe United held Kogi Stars to a 1-1 draw, just as Kada City and Real Stars settled for a 2-2 draw.

The competition, featuring the best teams in Nigeria’s second tier league, is holding at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba. The best four teams of the play-off will qualify for promotion to the NPFL, which is scheduled to kick off on January 13.

Meanwhile, Gombe United’s new goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel believes his team is capable of making the leap to the elite division from this play-off.

Daniel said the draw against against Kogi United would not stop Gombe United from picking the NPFL ticket, adding, “the last two games will be like the Cup final for us.

“I just joined the team and I want to be part of the players that will take the team to the elite league through these Super Eight play-off.

“We have an experienced coach in Ladan Bosso and such quality players like Christian Obiozor, who was a regular in the NPFL. So, we will do our best to be among the four teams to gain promotion.”