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By Abiodun Adewale.
Nigeria Professional Football League surprise package, Bendel Insurance, extended their lead on top of Group A of the abridged league thanks to their 1-0 win over Enyimba on match-day nine at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Prolific striker, Osarenkhoe Imade scored the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute to take his tally to six goals this season just as Bendel maintained their top position with 23 points.
The Benin Arsenal curtailed the eight-time champions for the rest of the game to maintain their unbeaten run throughout the first half of the season as the league embarks on a break.
Elsewhere in Ibadan, 3SC and Akwa United played out a thrilling 2-2 draw which further compounds the worries of the Oluyole Warriors who have dropped four points at home this season and with 10 points from nine matches.
After Joshua Akpan opened scoring for 3SC, Uche Collins and Liman Ahmadu responded for the visitors within five minutes to give them a 2-1 lead before Ajani Ibrahim levelled matters for the hosts on the stroke of halftime.
The result leaves Akwa United with 15 points from nine games and temporarily 3rd on the table behind Enyimba, pending the outcome of the games between Nasarawa United and Remo as well as Gombe United vs Plateau United on Monday (today).
In Group B, Lobi Stars continue to take the advantage and stay on top of the table with 19 points following their 2-0 win over Doma United on match-day nine.
Joseph Atule scored a seventh minute penalty and Abba Umar added the second for Lobi Stars two minutes later to secure the win.
In Akure, Samson Olasupo scored his third goal of the season and his second in consecutive home games to earn a 1-0 win over troubled Wikki Tourists.
While Sunshine Stars have temporarily moved up to second in the group, Wikki Tourists remain eight and a point above the relegation zone.
Bayelsa United were held to a 1-1 draw by Rangers while Niger Tornadoes pipped Dakkada in the other games in the group.
Except for postponed games and outstanding matches, the NPFL has embarked on a mid-season break with resumption set for March 25.