Newcomers Bendel Insurance continued their impressive form since getting back into the Nigerian Premier Football League, as they left it late to seal a 2-1 win over Plateau United, thanks to a header from in-form striker Osarenkhoe Imade.
Ismael Sarki’s second goal of the season threw Insurance fans into wild jubilation at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, as he opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a well-placed header.
Plateau United equalised in added time with Christopher Nwaeze converting from the penalty spot in the 91st minute.
Despite the fact that time was running out, the Benin Arsenals battled for maximum points until the final second, as the relentless Imade sealed the tie with a glancing header off Julius Emiloju’s free-kick.
Bendel Insurance currently sit atop the NPFL standings with six points, while the defeat was Plateau United’s ninth straight loss away from home.
In similar style, the newly-promoted El-Kanemi Warriors defeated Nasarawa United for their first win of the season.
A first-half strike from Igudu Alpha and a sublime finish from Zayyad Musa on the hour mark put the Warriors in front comfortably.
Onuche Ogbelu scored a consolation goal for the Solid Miners in the dying minutes of the game.
At the Gombe Township Stadium, Remo Stars did the improbable by defeating Gombe United away from home, thanks to an Andy Okpe header in the 88th minute.
The defeat was Gombe United’s first at home in the NPFL since 2019, an unbeaten run of 24 consecutive home games, that saw them amass 18 wins and 6 draws.
The Sky Blue Stars of Remo have now won four games away from home since the start of last season, a record only bettered by defending champions Rivers United.
Kwara United held Shooting Stars to a goalless draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium, with the Oluyole Warriors keeping their first clean sheet of the season.
The clash between Sunshine Stars and Rivers United also ended in a draw, with Ejike Uzoechi’s penalty cancelling out an early lead from United.
In the last game of matchday 2, Niger Tornadoes saw off Doma United 1-0, thanks to a long range strike from Munir Idris.
