The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) resumed this weekend, with Matchday 16 producing excitement and intriguing results. 15 goals were recorded in the nine games played this matchday, with Rivers United not featuring due to their engagement in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Away Win(s): One
Enyimba were the only side in the NPFL to obtain maximum points on the road on Matchday 16. Chukwuemeka Obioma's lone goal in the 59th minute helped the team emerge victorious, taking Finidi George's side 2nd on the NPFL Group B Standings with 28 points. Chukwuemeka Obioma is slowly catching the eye, scoring his 11th goal this season.
Two Draws Registered in the NPFL Matchday 16
A couple of home teams shared the spoils with the visiting teams on Matchday 16. Kwara United took the lead from an Adeshina Gata goal in the 21st minute and led at halftime. However, 60 minutes into the second half, Plateau United drew level and earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Kwara. It was Plateau United's second draw away from home this season; their first draw was at Remo Stars in February.
How is your lunch break going? ๐นโค๏ธ๐
NPFL23 MATCHDAY 16
Gombe United 0-0 Bendel Insurance FC – highlights.
Watch full highlights here ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พhttps://t.co/9SQlJ1Lu8c
Adaaaaaaaa BENDEL pic.twitter.com/OIAIFg7xtB
— Bendel Insurance FC Official (@BendelInsurance) May 1, 2023
Meanwhile, NPFL Group A table-toppers Bendel Insurance extended their unbeaten streak in the NPFL to 16 games after their host, Gombe United, joined the long list of clubs who gifted precious home points to the abridged Group A leaders. The most formidable team in the NPFL, Bendel Insurance, travelled to Northern Nigeria from the south and earned an impressive draw. The result helped them continue their unprecedented march towards qualification into the Big Six Championship round. The Benin Arsenal have a four points lead over their closest rival, Enyimba.
The Teams That Won
Six teams recorded wins in the NPFL on Matchday 16, with five wins coming to teams playing at home.
The first kickoff of the weekend saw the host team, Nasarawa United, take all the points over Shooting Stars, courtesy of Nelson Abiam's 23rd-minute goal, at the Lafia Township Stadium.
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XI | ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฉ, ๐๐ค๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐, ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ, Nwakanma , ๐๐ ๐ฎ, ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ข, Onu, ๐๐ฃ๐๐ก, ๐๐ฐ๐๐ค๐ (C) Najere, ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐จ
SUBS| ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ, ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ก, ๐๐๐ข, Gidado, Bello, Udezuka, Lawal, Uzorji, Fabian, pic.twitter.com/a8CwQnVyhG
— Abia Warriors FC (@AbiaWarriors) April 30, 2023
In Umuahia, Abia Warriors thrashed Dakkada FC 3-0 to take themselves up to 3rd on 24 points, leaving their opponents deep in the relegation zone.
A Gomo Onduku 89th-minute goal for Bayelsa United was all his team needed to emerge victorious over the resilient Sunshine Stars, with the game ending 2-1.
Lobi Stars would score three minutes into the second half to win 1-0 and end Niger Tornadoes' three-match unbeaten streak.
๐๏ธThe boss, Daniel Ogunmodede speaks on a hard fought victory against Akwa Utd #REMAKW | #NPFL23 pic.twitter.com/uAYa41ZSxi
— Remo Stars Sports Club (@RemoStarsSC) April 30, 2023
Remo Stars defeated Akwa United 1-0, while Enugu Rangers thrashed Wikki Tourists 3-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. Chidiebere Nwobo scored twice in the 28th and 51st minutes, with Samuel Pam wrapping up the win in the 86th minute.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 weeks ago
