Bendel Insurance hold Nasarawa United to end regular season unbeaten

Group A winners, Bendel Insurance, yesterday, were held to a 1-1 draw by Nasarawa United, but they ended the regular season of the abridged Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) as the only unbeaten team.

Playing in Lafia, Insurance took the lead in the 28th through Deputy Echeta, but the home side equalised in the 51st minute through Chinedum Ohanachom.

The Benin Arsenal will go into next month’s NPFL Super Six Championship as clear favourites.

They will be joined from Group A by Enyimba of Aba, who played a goalless draw with Shooting Stars of Ibadan; and Remo Stars, 4-0 conquerors of Kwara United.

After 18 matches, Bendel Insurance have 34 points, Enyimba ended with 31, while Remo Stars have 33, which is just one point above fourth-placed Akwa United.

Plateau United, Shooting Stars, Gombe United and Kwara United ended the regular season on 26, 19 and 17 points respectively. Relegated Nasarawa United and El Kanemi closed the season on 14 and 10 points respectively.

In Group B, Rivers United, who had already qualified for the play-off before yesterday’s games, lost 0-1 to Enugu Rangers, while Lobi Stars were beaten 0-1 at home by Wikki Tourists, but earlier results were enough to take the Makurdi boys to the Super Six

Newcomers, Doma United, who were on their way to the Super Six Championship before the latest games, blew their chances with a 0-1 defeat by Abia Warriors. In their place is Sunshine Stars of Akure, who beat relegated Dakkada FC 2-0, while Bayelsa United defeated Niger Tornadoes 2-0.