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NPFL Round-up: Plateau United wins derby clash as Bendel Insurance extend unbeaten streak in Aba

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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) resumed this weekend with matchday 10 fixtures which produced some blockbusting results across nine centres.

Though there was no away win in the Sunday games, some home teams were forced to share the spoils with the visiting opponents.

The nine games played witnessed six home wins and three draws with 18 goals scored.

Akwa United hurt Shooting stars as Plateau United wins derby

Akwa United continued from where they stopped in the first stanza of the season as they defeated Shooting Stars 2-0 in Uyo on Sunday evening.

The Promise Keepers had forced the Oluyole Warriors to a draw in Ibadan last month

Having learnt their lessons from the Ibadan experience, the Ayodeji Ayeni-led Promise Keepers kept to their promises and scored to deny the Oluyole Warriors a chance to get a consolation at the Nest of Champions.

Two quick-fire goals from Ubong Friday and Taiye Muritala in the 53rd and 55th minute respectively sent the Promise Keepers to the second spot with 18 points while Shooting Stars dropped to the eighth position with 10 points.

At the New Jos Stadium, Plateau United won the Northern derby with a 2-0 victory over Gombe United.

Izuchukwu Chimezie and Silas Nenrot got the goals in the 31st and 86th minute respectively.

The Peace Boys moved to the third position with 17 points after Sunday’s victory.

Elsewhere, Remo Stars defeated Nasarawa United 1-0 while Kwara United at their new home ground in Akure defeated El Kanemi Warriors 2-0.

Stalemates in Aba, PortHarcourt and Bauchi

Despite the strong will to halt Bendel Insurance’s unbeaten run, Enyimba joined the long list of clubs that have gifted away points to the abridged group A leaders.

The 1-1 draw played in Aba meant the People’s Elephants conceded for the first time this season to Bendel Insurance who extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games.

Before the end of the first half, Emeka Obioma increased his goal tally to eight scoring from the spot to put the Elephants in front in the 44th minute.

While Enyimba thought they were on course for a lone goal win, their hearts were broken in the 81st minute when Insurance levelled the score line courtesy of Imade Osarenkhoe’s direct freekick.

With the crucial point secured in Aba, Bendel Insurance tightened their grip at the top of group A with 24 points while Enyimba dropped to the fourth position with 17 points.

Elsewhere, Abia Warriors gave Rivers United a run for their money at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium where they were forced to a 1-1 draw by their hosts.

Nweke Kalu scored for the visitors in the 51st minute before Morice Chukwu’s 97th strike spared the Pride of Rivers their blushes.

Despite the draw, Rivers United tops Group B with 19 points while Abia Warriors are in the fourth position with 15 points.

Wiki Tourists’ chance for a third league win of the season was thwarted by a relentless Sunshine Stars who cancelled Idris Guda’s 50th-minute penalty at the cusp of the second half through Samson Olasupo to end the game 1-1.

Meanwhile, the draw was Edith Agoye’s team’s third draw on the road this season and Wikki Tourists’ second at home this season.

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Oshoala Scores as Al Hilal Cruise to 4-0 Away Victory Over NEOM

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Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala was on target as Al Hilal produced an impressive 4-0 away victory over NEOM, with fellow Nigerian international Christy Ucheibe also featuring in the convincing performance.

Sports247 reports that Oshoala continued her contribution to Al Hilal’s attacking campaign by finding the back of the net in the 65th minute, helping the visitors strengthen their advantage in a dominant display.

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The Nigerian forward’s goal came during an impressive second-half performance from Al Hilal, who added three goals after the interval to complete a comprehensive victory.

Moroccan forward Ibtissam Jraidi opened the scoring in the 11th minute, giving Al Hilal an early advantage before the teams went into the break.

Oshoala doubled the visitors’ lead in the 65th minute before Manar Al-Anzi made it 3-0 just four minutes later.

Jraidi then completed her brace in the 88th minute, sealing the emphatic 4-0 result for Al Hilal.

Christy Ucheibe, Oshoala’s Super Falcons teammate, also played a part in the victory as the Nigerian duo continued to make their contributions to the Saudi Arabian club.

The result represents another important outing for Al Hilal, with the team’s attacking quality evident in the performance against NEOM.

For Oshoala, the goal provides another opportunity to demonstrate her goalscoring ability and importance at club level. The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year remains one of Nigeria’s most recognisable football exports, and her performances continue to attract attention.

The presence of both Oshoala and Ucheibe in Al Hilal’s squad also highlights the growing influence of Nigerian players in women’s football outside the country.

With the emphatic away victory secured, Al Hilal will look to build on the performance in their subsequent fixtures.

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Nigeria Get Second Chance as CAF Reportedly Considers Flying Eagles for 2027 U-20 AFCON

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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles could be handed a lifeline in their quest to qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup following reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering including the team in the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

The development follows Ghana’s reported removal as hosts of the continental competition, potentially creating an opening for Nigeria to secure a place in the tournament.

Sports247 reports that CAF has informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the Flying Eagles on standby for a possible invitation to the 2027 U-20 AFCON.

Nigeria initially missed out on automatic qualification after suffering a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.

Burkina Faso secured the region’s automatic qualification ticket, while Ghana were expected to occupy the second available place as hosts of the continental tournament.

However, Ghana’s reported failure to meet CAF’s hosting requirements has thrown the arrangement into uncertainty, with the continental governing body expected to appoint a new host.

The situation could work in Nigeria’s favour, with the Flying Eagles potentially considered for the place initially reserved for Ghana as tournament hosts, having finished runners-up in the WAFU Zone B competition.

Although CAF is yet to make an official announcement confirming Nigeria’s inclusion, the reported development has raised hopes of a second opportunity for the seven-time African champions.

The 2027 U-20 AFCON will carry additional significance as it will also serve as Africa’s qualifying competition for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

According to CAF’s qualification format, the four semi-finalists will represent the continent at the global tournament.

Nigeria’s possible inclusion would therefore provide the Flying Eagles with another opportunity to compete for continental honours and keep their World Cup ambitions alive.

The West African giants have a proud history at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, having finished runners-up on two occasions, in 1989 and 2005.

For now, Nigeria will await CAF’s final decision, with the reported development offering renewed hope after their disappointment in the WAFU Zone B final.

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