Super Six NPFL: Stalemate on day three of the game
After three matchdays of potentially deciding games on Wednesday, the race for continental spots and the Nigeria Professional Football League title remains dicey.
In the principal round of the day, Sadiq Abubakar drew first blood for Enyimba following 23 minutes with a wonderful left curling iron, which left Amas Obasogie powerless in Protection’s objective.
The Benin Arsenal were down, but they didn’t give up. After 14 minutes, the unpredictable midfielder Divine Nwachukwu headed in Deputy Echeta’s lofted cross inside the box to make it 1-1.
Protection nearly started to lead the pack a moment later, yet Ojo Olorunleke parried Adodo Stephen’s work from the edge of the area to keep the score level at the break.
In the second half, momentum could have gone either way, and Osarenkhoe Imade, a substitute for Insurance, scored the most goals to put Insurance ahead.
After cutting in from the left flank, the striker scored with a fierce right-foot shot that forced Olorunleke into a save. Julius Emiloju and Nwachukwu scored from rebound shots minutes later that flew over the bar.
Enyimba, on the other hand, saved their firepower for the game’s final four minutes, when they made three attempts to take the lead.
Insurance goalkeeper Obasogie denied Imo Obot, Somiari Alalibo, and Ekene Awazie at the last minute, resulting in a 1-1 score.
Daylight impede Remo’s desire
Two objectives in one or the other half by Samuel Anaekwe and Fortunate Gyan doled out the retribution in the southwest derby between Daylight Stars and Remo Stars as they played out a 1-1 attract the subsequent game.
Remo scored their first goal in the 15th minute, assisted by Anaekwe, after drawing their previous two matches.
After Seun Ogunribide sent in a sweeping cross into the box, the striker almost scored two seconds later, but Sunshine goalie Mustapha Lawal stopped him from close range.
Mustapha was the busiest goalkeeper as he entered full flight once more to prevent Dayo Ojo, a former Sunshine Stars player, from scoring with a pile driver as his teammates struggled to find their rhythm.
As soon as play resumed, Sunshine Stars responded with a header from Gyan that resulted in an equalizer in the 46th minute.
Remo has three points from three games, while Sunshine Stars have two points from as many games, and the remainder of the half was played out with intent and caution on both sides’ part. The result was a 1-1 draw.
Rivers United 0-0 Lobi Stars
The goalless draw between Lobi Stars and the defending Super 6 champions Rivers United was the day’s final game.
Enyimba and Rivers United share the lead with five points, followed by Remo Stars and Bendel Insurance, who each have three points, Sunshine Stars, Lobi Stars, and Bendel Insurance, who each have two points.
