Plateau Wins Kanemi, As Bayelsa, Bendel Played 1-1

Plateau United tightened their grip on home turf with a slender 1-0 victory over El Kanemi Warriors in Jos, while Bendel Insurance and Bayelsa United settled for a 1-1 draw in Benin on Saturday.

At the New Jos Stadium, it was Gideon Monday who provided the decisive moment for Plateau midway through the first half.

The forward rose highest in the 32nd minute to meet Kazeem’s corner and powered a header beyond the Warriors’ goalkeeper for his second goal of the campaign.

The Warriors had started brightly, with Mubarak and Tarabina combining to trouble the Plateau defence in the early exchanges, but the hosts gradually asserted themselves through Kazeem’s lively runs down the flank.

Chances continued to come Plateau’s way, with Kazeem spurning a glorious opportunity on 40 minutes after breaking through the visitors’ backline, only to fire over the bar.

Coach Sola Adegun reshuffled after the break, introducing Mafeng, Kalu, Apollos and Harrison in a bid to add fresh impetus. The changes gave Plateau renewed energy, though they were unable to find the killer second goal. El Kanemi pressed late on, but Wisdom and Tarabina stood firm at the back, ensuring Bala had little to worry about in goal as Plateau held on for three points.

In Benin, it was a tale of frustration and eventual relief for Bayelsa United against Bendel Insurance.

The hosts dominated early possession, with Tobi Iyanda and Kayode Oke both coming close inside the opening 25 minutes.

Their persistence paid off when Iyanda was dragged down in the box, earning a penalty in 42 minutes. Oke converted confidently from the spot to put Bendel in front.

But just moments later, the complexion of the contest shifted. Defender Henry Oyian was sent off in first-half stoppage time for dissent, reducing Insurance to ten men. Bayelsa seized the numerical advantage shortly after the restart, with Jawad Mustapha slotting home the equaliser in the 50th minute.

The Prosperity Boys pressed for a winner as Monday Odigie, making a return to Benin in the away dugout, urged his side forward.

Insurance, however, remained resolute despite their disadvantage, with substitute Israel Emmanuel working tirelessly to relieve pressure in attack. Six minutes of added time could not separate the sides as the spoils were shared.

The result put Plateau back in the chasing pack, moving to 13th on the NPFL table after a turbulent start that saw them losing three consecutive opening games as El Kanemi remain 6th, while Bayelsa United’s point in Benin was a hard-earned reward against one of the league’s toughest home sides.