Nasarawa United Extend NPFL Lead After Stunning Bendel Insurance in Benin

Nasarawa United extended their lead at the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table with a dramatic 1–0 away victory over Bendel Insurance on matchday seven at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on Saturday evening.

Substitute Garba Mohammed proved to be the hero once again for the Solid Miners, scoring the winning goal in the 94th minute to silence the home crowd. The winger, who replaced Anas Yusuf in the 60th minute, netted his second goal of the season and secured Nasarawa United’s second straight away win after their triumph over Bayelsa United a fortnight ago.

The result keeps Nasarawa United unbeaten in six of their seven matches this season — winning five, drawing one, and losing once. They now sit firmly at the top of the table with 16 points, four ahead of nine-time champions Enyimba, who have played one game fewer. Bendel Insurance, meanwhile, are struggling near the relegation zone with just six points from seven games.

Following the victory, the team received cash rewards in appreciation of their impressive performance. Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, gifted the players ₦500,000, while the club’s chairman, Mr Solomon Babanjah, and a dedicated supporter, Mr Peter Pepsy Anyebe, each donated ₦200,000 to further boost the team’s morale.

Speaking after the match, head coach Mangut Mbwas praised his players’ fighting spirit.

“It’s a joy to get maximum points, either home or away. Bendel Insurance were aggressive after dropping points at home, but we stayed strong and pushed till the final minutes. I’m proud of my players — they gave everything,” he said.

He also thanked the state government and supporters for their encouragement and promised that the team would stay focused ahead of their next game against Rangers International in Lafia on Sunday, 12 October.

Match-winner Garba Mohammed expressed his excitement after the victory.

“Coming off the bench to score the winning goal feels amazing. I told my teammates I’d score if given the chance, and I’m happy I did. We’ll keep working hard to achieve our goal of securing a continental ticket this season,” he said.

Nasarawa United will now shift focus to their home clash against Rangers in Lafia before travelling to Lagos to face Ikorodu City a week later.