BENDEL Insurance have become the first club to confirm their ticket to the championship playoffs of the Nigeria Premier Football League following their 1-1 draw with Shooting Stars in Benin City today.
The Edo Gunners are on top of the Group A table with 33 points, four points clear of fourth-placed Akwa United, with one match left in the abridged season.
The top three clubs from Group A and Group B will vie for the title in the playoffs.
Ismael Seriki gave the unbeaten Insurance the lead in the 62nd minute but Sikiru Alimi pulled the visitors level five minutes from time as 3SC stay in fifth place.
In Aba, Enyimba thrashed Gombe United 5-0, with Emeka Obioma scoring the league’s first hat-trick of the season.
The striker netted in the 17th, 77th and 84th minutes to keep Enyimba in second spot, two points behind Insurance, and on course to making the playoffs.
Remo Stars climbed up to third after a shock 2-1 win over Plateau United in Jos.
It is Plateau United’s first home defeat this season, and it proved very costly as it knocked them out of reckoning for the playoffs. They are fifth, five points off Remo Stars.
Akwa United defeated El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 in Uyo to take the battle for the playoff spots to the final matchday.
Ubong Friday scored both goals as Akwa United stay in fourth, one point off Remo Stars, with El-Kanemi Warriors already relegated.
Nasarawa United joined El-Kanemi Warriors in going down to the Nigeria National League after a 1-0 defeat at Kwara United.
The result sealed Kwara United’s safety and confirmed Nasarawa United’s relegation, with four points now separating the sides.
In Group B, champions Rivers United defeated Bayelsa United 2-1 in Port Harcourt to climb up to second, with two matches in hand.
Doma United are third following a 0-0 draw at home to Rangers, while Sunshine Stars moved up to fourth after a 2-0 win away to Niger Tornadoes.
RESULT
Akwa United 2-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
Bendel Insurance 1-1 3SC
Doma United 0-0 Rangers
Kwara United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Niger Tornadoes 0-2 Sunshine Stars
Plateau United 1-2 Remo Stars
Rivers United 2-1 Bayelsa United
Wikki Tourists 4-0 Abia Warriors
Enyimba 5- 0 Gombe United
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