All the ten matches slated for the Match Day 6 encounters at the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)were successfully concluded at the weekend at the various centers across the country.
In Group A, Shooting Stars of Ibadan playing before its home fans compounded the woes of bottom placed team Nasarawa United by trouncing them 2-0 in a hotly contested game the visitors seriously needed to enhance their chances of escaping from the relegation waters.
Having played six matches with just a point to show for their effort this season, the Bala Nikyu-tutored lads lost to Shooting Stars and they have to dig deep this season in order to avoid a drop from the topflight. A brace from Samuel Ayorinde in the 40th and 44th minutes sealed victory for the homeboys, Shooting Stars who are currently placed 6th on the Group A Table.
Nasarawa Utd remain at the bottom of Group A with just a point from six matches.
Earlier, on Saturday, Group A table toppers, Bendel Insurance held on to their unbeaten run this season as they played out a barren draw with visiting Gombe United at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. Insurance now have 16 points from 6 matches, while Gombe United are placed 7th on the log with 7 points.
In other Group A matches, homeboys, Enyimba FC of Aba stunned El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 2-0, thanks to Chukwuemeka Obioma’s brace at the 27th and 45th minutes.
All efforts made by the visitors to reduce the tally were repulsed by Enyimba’s rock-solid defence that held on till the end of the game.
Enyimba are now third on the Group A log with 10 points with a superior goal difference ahead Akwa United and Plateau United who also have 10 points each.
Akwa United on Sunday, February 5, defeated visiting Remo Stars 3-1 to send a warning signal to other clubs that it’s not going to be an easy ride for contenders for the top spot in Group A. It was an encounter that saw Andy Okpe bagging a red card in the second half and Oluwasegun Olalere scoring an own goal against Remo Stars at the 60th minute.
Cyril Olisemah scored the opener for Akwa United in the 5th minute after converting a penalty. However Qudus Akanniof Remo Stars restored parity by making it 1-1 in the 24th minute.
Just at the point of the break, Uche Collins restored hope for the hosts by scoring at the 45th minute to end the first half by 2-1.
The second half commenced on a very high note as both teams came out smoking red-hot only for an own goal from Oluwasegun Olalereat the 60th minute to seal victory 3-1 for Akwa United who are now 4th in Group A with 10 points.
In the last Group A match played between Plateau United and Kwara United at the New Jos Stadium, the cracker ended 1-0 in favour of the hosts and no thanks to Murtala Dagwo whose 30th minute own-goal separated both teams.
Plateau United is now 5th on the Group A log with 10 points while Kwara United are in 8th position with 5 points.
The major highlights of Match Day 6 encounters included the ascension of Lobi Stars to the summit of Group B with 13 points and a superior goals advantage of 5.
Secondly, Bendel Insurance continuous unbeaten run in Group A remains heartwarming for their fans, while Nasarawa United are firmly rooted at the bottom of the group with just a point after six matches.
Below are the summary of all the results of the matches played in Group A and Group B in Match Day 6 and Fixtures for Match Day 7:
RESULTS FOR MATCH DAY 6 – 4TH& 5TH FEBRUARY 2023
GROUP A
Bendel Insurance 0-0 Gombe United
Akwa United 3-1 Remo Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Kwara United
Shooting Stars 2-0 Nasarawa United
Enyimba 2-0 El Kanemi Warriors
GROUP B
Dakkada 2-4 Abia Warriors
Doma United 2-1 Rivers United
Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Lobi Stars
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Bayelsa Utd
Wiki Tourists 1-0 Rangers
FIXTURES FOR WEEK 7 – 11TH& 12TH FEBRUARY 2023
GROUP A (11-02-2023)
Gombe United vs Enyimba
Nasarawa United vs Kwara United
GROUP B
Abia Warriors vs Wikki Tourist
Lobi Stars vs Dakkada
GROUP A (12-02-2023)
Remo Stars vs Plateau United
El Kanemi Warriors vs Akwa United
Shooting Stars vs Bendel Insurance
GROUP B
Bayelsa United vs Rivers United
Sunshine Stars vs Niger Tornadoes
Rangers Int. vs Doma United