The second half of the Nigeria Premier Football League threw up some thrills and frills as teams across the country went into battle in the Matchday 10 round of fixtures.
It all began with Niger Tornadoes getting a 2-1 win away from home against Dakkada on Saturday.
The key clash of the round, however, was the battle between powerhouse Enyimba and Bendel Insurance.
The People’s Elephant went into battle with the aim of doing what no other team has achieved so far this season – defeat Monday Odigie’s side in the NPFL.
It was one of Finidi George’s most potent weapons this season, in person of Emeka Obioma, that opened the scoring from the spot late on in the first half after one of the opposition defenders slid in rather recklessly inside the rain.
The home fans were quite elated at the prospect of getting the three points but up stepped the unstoppable Imade “The Bullet” Osarenkhoe in the 78th minute of the encounter to fire home a fierce freekick from just outside the box.
Super Eagles and Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble was left frustrated on the wet pitch as Imade peeled away in jubilation.
Enyimba had a penalty shout for an handball turned down in the closing stages of the game – a moment that would have increased the amplitude of calls for video assistant refereeing as well as proper technology in various stadia in the country’s topmost league.
The Benin Gunners maintained their 10-game unbeaten run with the 1-1 draw.
Elsewhere, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, 3SC were trounced by Akwa United 2-0 to further increase the Oluyole Warriors’ worries this term.
Gbenga “The Oracle” Ogunbote’s side were optimistic of getting wins at the restart of the league but Akwa United quickly erased all their positivity with two quick fire goals in the 53rd and 55th minutes from Friday Ubong and Taiye Muritala.
A 32nd minute goal from Chimezie Izuchukwu and a 89th minute Silas Nenrot goal saw Fidelis Ilechukwu’s Plateau United defeat Gombe United two-nil on Sunday evening.
Enugu Rangers defeated Bayelsa United 2-1 while newly promoted Doma United got a valuable 2-0 home win over Lobi Stars to continue their fine form this term as Wikki Tourists and Sunshine Stars drew one-all.
A 90th minute Morice Chukwu goal canceled Nweke Kalu’s 48th minute strike as Rivers United and Abia Warriors played out a 1-1 draw.
Samuel Anaekwe’s 16th minute strike gave Remo Stars all three points in their 1-0 win over Nasarawa United in Ikenne.
Omaka Anthony and Samar Kadri helped Kwara United to a 2-0 win over El Kanemi Warriors.