Niger Tornadoes secured their first away win of the Nigeria Premier Football League season with a 1-0 victory over Abia Warriors in Umuahia, while Bendel Insurance ended Rivers United’s nine-match unbeaten run with a 2-1 win in Benin City.
The two results highlighted a dramatic Matchday 10, with clubs battling for points as the league table continued to take shape.
At the Umuahia Township Stadium, experienced forward Wasiu Jimoh scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute, striking from distance to give Niger Tornadoes a crucial victory.
The win marked a turnaround in the club’s away form after earlier narrow defeats to Katsina United and Nasarawa United, alongside goalless draws against opponents including Ranchers Bees.
In Benin City, Bendel Insurance scored twice in the second half to overcome league leaders Rivers United at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Freeman Wuchirwe opened the scoring before Jonathan James added a late goal to secure the hosts’ victory. Rivers United, who had gone nine league matches without defeat before the encounter, suffered their first loss of the campaign.
Despite the setback, Rivers United remained top of the standings with 17 points, while the victory lifted Bendel Insurance to sixth position.
At the Sani Abacha Stadium, Barau FC and Kwara United played out a 1-1 draw after the hosts surrendered their first-half advantage.
Former Plateau United forward Anthony Sunday put Barau ahead in the 40th minute, but Goodluck Ogbolu equalised for Kwara United in the 63rd minute to earn the visitors a share of the points.
Kun Khalifat FC also claimed a 1-0 victory over bottom-placed Inter Lagos, with Benjamin scoring in the 69th minute.
Nasarawa United continued their strong run with a 1-0 win over Enyimba in Lafia. John Joshua scored the only goal in the 23rd minute to secure all three points for the home side.
In Lagos, Ikorodu City and Shooting Stars shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars, meanwhile, played out a goalless draw in Oghara after neither side managed to find a breakthrough.
The round began on Saturday, when Katsina United fought back late to draw 2-2 with Plateau United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
With several teams still competing closely for positions, the latest results added further intrigue to the developing league standings.
