Bendel Insurance beat Rivers United 2-1 in Benin City on Sunday. The result halted Rivers United’s unbeaten start to the season. It also tightened the title race. Insurance moved level with the leaders’ recent form. Rivers United remain among the top sides. Their defensive record is still the league’s best. But the aura of invincibility is gone.
Bendel Insurance won the NPFL in 1979 and the Federation Cup in 2023. The Benin club has a proud tradition. It has also spent years in the shadow of Nigeria’s bigger sides. Rivers United finished second in 2022 and reached the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals in 2023. They were unbeaten in nine matches before Sunday. Insurance had lost twice earlier in the campaign. The win is a statement.
The weekend produced goals and stalemates in equal measure. Katsina United and Plateau United drew 2-2 on Saturday. Barau and Kwara United shared a 1-1 draw. Ikorodu City and Shooting Stars played out a 2-2 thriller. Kun Khalifat and Inter Lagos ended goalless. Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars also drew 0-0. Niger Tornadoes won 1-0 away at Abia Warriors. Nasarawa United beat Enyimba 1-0.
Enyimba’s loss is the latest blow to the nine-time champions. They have now lost again after a brief resurgence. Nasarawa United climb. The People’s Elephant remain in the lower half.
Zilkifilu Rabiu of Ranchers Bees leads the scoring chart with five goals. Kayode Oke Solomon of Bendel Insurance and Chukwuemeka Obioma of Abia Warriors follow with four each. Bendel Insurance and Enugu Rangers average 1.8 goals per match. Rivers United concede 0.4 goals per match and have seven clean sheets. Kwara United, Plateau United and Ranchers Bees top the red card table with two each.
Winners: Bendel Insurance, who beat the leaders. Niger Tornadoes, who won away. Nasarawa United, who beat Enyimba. Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City, who produced the round’s most entertaining draw. Zilkifilu Rabiu, who leads the golden boot race. Losers: Rivers United, whose unbeaten run ends. Enyimba, who lost again. Abia Warriors, who lost at home. Kwara United and Plateau United, who dropped points and collected red cards. Inter Lagos and Kun Khalifat, who remain in the relegation zone.
Bottom Line: Rivers United lost. The league is tighter. Insurance showed that the leaders can be beaten. Enyimba showed that their crisis is not over. The table is still close. The title race is open.