By USMAN ALIYU

Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin on Wednesday defeated Nasarawa United FC of Lafia 1-0 to stay atop Group A table in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Ebuka Akobundu’s goal in the 52rd minute was all the hosts needed to secure victory in the Match Day 8 fixture played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

The defeat confined the visiting team, who have only secured four points in the league so far, to the bottom of the table.

All efforts by the hosts to extend their lead were resisted by a scintillating performance by the visiting goalkeeper.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bendel Insurance will now host Enyimba International FC of Aba on Saturday to end the first round of the abridged league.

Reacting to the defeat, Abubakar Arkiya’a, Head Coach of Nasarawa United, said his team tried their best even though the result was never what they expected.

“Though our team didn’t play the way they did in their last match, but honestly the players tried,” said the coach.

He, however, described the general performance of the club in the apex league so far as bad.

The former midfielder noted that the team would continue to push to ensure they finish well in the competition. (NAN)