Bendel Insurance took to X to mock Rivers United after a 2-1 home win ended the leaders’ unbeaten start to the NPFL season. Jonathan James scored the winner in stoppage time.
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Bendel Insurance mocked Rivers United on social media after a 2-1 win in Benin on Sunday ended the league leaders’ unbeaten start to the Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. The result came in Matchday 10.
Rivers United had won four and drawn five of their first nine games, so this was their first defeat of the season and the end of the longest unbeaten run in the league. NPFL fans can try Super9ja matchday 11 picks before the next round.
Freeman Wuchirwe put Bendel Insurance ahead three minutes into the second half. Chijioke Mbaoma equalised for Rivers United with 17 minutes remaining. Jonathan James then struck in stoppage time to win it.
After the final whistle, Bendel Insurance posted on X: “Unbeaten in Benin!?” alongside the final score, followed by a Benin cheer.
The result is the one coach Kennedy Boboye had predicted. He had said before the game that Bendel Insurance would not be intimidated and that Rivers United would not leave with any point. New Bet9ja users can claim Bet9ja’s YOHAIG welcome starter.
Bendel Insurance move to 15 points and sixth place, after a fifth win of the season. Rivers United stay top on 17 points, level with Rangers but ahead on goal difference.
Rivers United had spent the week saying the aim was to gather points rather than protect their unbeaten record, as assistant coach Yemi Olanrewaju put it. This defeat will test that message.
Elsewhere in Matchday 10, Nasarawa United beat Enyimba 1-0 in Lafia, Niger Tornadoes won 1-0 at Abia Warriors and Kun Khalifat beat Inter Lagos 1-0. Ikorodu City and Shooting Stars drew 2-2, Barau and Kwara United drew 1-1, and Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars drew 0-0.
Rivers United host Rangers on Sunday, November 1, in a meeting of the top two, while Bendel Insurance travel to Kwara United on the same day. Readers new to betting can see Bet9ja promotion code study notes.
📌 Did You Know?
- Wuchirwe, who scored Bendel Insurance’s opener, is among the home-based players invited to the Olympic Eagles camp for the DR Congo qualifier.
- Earlier this season, Bendel Insurance won at home against Ikorodu City (2-1), Warri Wolves (2-1) and Kun Khalifat (4-2).
- Jofrank Istifanus’s 23rd-minute goal gave Nasarawa United a 1-0 win over Enyimba at the Lafia City Stadium.
- Wasiu Jimoh’s goal four minutes before the hour gave Niger Tornadoes their win at Abia Warriors.
- Ikorodu City came from 2-0 down against Shooting Stars, with Donald Obiajulu scoring twice at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
