The much-anticipated return of the Nigeria Premier Football League came on Sunday as Akwa United suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat to newly promoted team Bendel Insurance on the first day of the new season at the Nest of Champion in Uyo.
After three years, Insurance was making a comeback to the top division of Nigerian football, and they wasted no time in announcing their intentions.
They defeated Akwa United at home thanks to goals from Imade Osehenkhoe (39′) and Ismael Seriki (41′), who turned in a corner kick to score the second goal.
For the first time in more than three years, Insurance secured an unexpected victory away from home in the top division by keeping things tight and making sure no goals were scored.
The match was the only one held during the first week of the new season; the other matches will be held a week later.
Arsenal of Benin will next travel up north to face last season’s runners-up, Plateau United in their second match while already embattled Akwa United travel to the east to take on former African champions, Enyimba.
Meanwhile, next weekend, other teams in the group will round up Week One matches as Plateau United host 3SC in Jos, Gombe United travel to Ibadan to battle Kwara United at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Nasarawa United welcome Enyimba to Jos while El-Kanemi Warriors journey to Ikenne to square up with Remo Stars.
