Lobi Stars climbed out of the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL relegation zone with a narrow 1-0 victory over Kwara United. Peter Onah scored the decisive goal in the 26th minute to lift the Makurdi based team to 16th position with 16 points from 15 matches, just one spot above the drop zone.
The game saw Kwara United reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute when Junior Almufua received a second yellow card. Kwara United now sit seventh on the table with 20 points from 15 matches.
In another Saturday NPFL fixture, Bendel Insurance edged out Plateau United 2-1. Uche Collins gave Insurance an early lead in the seventh minute, which was equalised by Plateau United’s Victor Dawa in the 24th minute. Kayode Oke secured the winner for Bendel Insurance in the 66th minute. Despite the win, Bendel Insurance remains second from the bottom, while Plateau United stay one position above them, both tied on 15 points but separated by goal difference.
Editorial
Lobi Stars’ narrow escape from the relegation zone is a testament to their determination and grit in a fiercely competitive NPFL season. Peter Onah’s goal and the team’s resilience against Kwara United highlight their potential to fight for safety as the league progresses.
This victory, however, should not mask the challenges ahead. To maintain their league status, Lobi Stars must address inconsistencies and improve their goal-scoring abilities. Similarly, Bendel Insurance's win offers a glimmer of hope, but they face an uphill battle to avoid relegation despite showing promise.
These matches demonstrate the NPFL’s unpredictability, where every point is hard earned. For teams in the bottom half, sustained focus and tactical discipline will be key to survival.
Did You Know?
- Lobi Stars have won the NPFL title once, in the 1999 season.
- Kwara United is one of the oldest clubs in the NPFL, established in 1974.
- Bendel Insurance was a dominant force in Nigerian football during the 1970s and 1980s.
- The NPFL employs a points per game system for tie breakers when teams have played uneven numbers of matches.
- Plateau United were NPFL champions in the 2016/2017 season, marking their first league title.
