BENDEL Insurance secured a stunning 2-0 victory over Akwa United in Uyo in the opening match of the Nigeria Premier Football League today.
The Benin-based side are newcomers to the top flight this season, having been in the second tier for three seasons.
Imade Osehenkhoe and Ismael Seriki scored for Insurance to stun their hosts at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital city.
The two goals were scored in a devastating first half that left the hosts reeling, Osehenkhoe netting the season’s opening strike with a close-range finish in the 35th minute and Seriki doubling the lead two minutes before half-time.
Akwa United, NPFL champions in 2021, desperately sought to fight their way back into the contest after the break, but the visitors held firm to claim the season-opening victory.
The Uyo game was the only one played this weekend, with the other fixtures postponed until next week.
This season started late after a five-month break as the League Management Company was dissolved and replaced with the Interim Management Committee.
The campaign will be shortened to five months, with the 20 clubs split into two groups of 10 each.
