NPFL: Bendel Insurance ends regular season unbeaten

Bendel Insurance have officially ended the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) regular season, unbeaten following their 1-1 draw with Nasarawa United.

The game played at the New Jos Stadium, saw the Benin-based club complete their season without a single defeat, winning eight and drawing 10 of the first-round matches.

Despite only being promoted to the top division at the start of the 2023 season, Bendel Insurance had so far put up an impressive performance to the surprise of many.

The Monday Odigie-led side had, however, struggled to win in recent matches, and unfortunately continued in such fashion on Sunday.

The Benin Arsenals first opened the scoring in the 29th minute as Deputy Echeta gained a pass from Divine Nwachukwu before breaking the deadlock.

The visitors' lead would eventually be extinguished by Nasarawa United who in the second half, put the game back on level terms thanks to Chinedu Ohanachom.

Bendel Insurance will now proceed to the NPFL Super 6 playoff, where they would alongside five other teams, attempt to win the NPFL title and vie for places in next season's CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.

Meanwhile, it becomes the end of the road in the NPFL for already relegatedNasarawa United who will next season, compete in the second division, the Nigeria National League (NNL).

The Lafia club had only experienced relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) once, in 2009/10, but gained promotion back in 2012 after winning their division.