NNL Super 8: Bendel Insurance, Shooting Stars Rekindle Rivalry in Enugu

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Two of Nigeria’s foremost Football clubs, Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan will this afternoon re-enact their age-long rivalry when the Nigerian National League (NNL) Super 8 Playoff begins in Enugu.

At the draw of the Playoff made in Enugu yesterday, both clubs were drawn to face each other in the second game of Group B at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Of the eight teams at the Playoff, Bendel Insurance are the only team from the South South while none is from the South East.

Four-Gombe United, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, Niger Tornadoes, DMD of Borno are from the northern zone of the country while Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Ekiti United and Remo Stars are representing the Southwest.

Four teams are to qualify from this playoff for the four available slots to be promoted to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Chairman of Warri Wolves and a former media manager of Rangers of Enugu, Etu Moses has rallied supporters from the South south zone to back Bendel Insurance.

According to Moses, with the relegation of Warri Wolves, “it’s only natural that people from the zone back the Benin Arsenal for promotion.

“Apart from Rivers United and Akwa United, next season’s NPFL needs another representative and the only alternative is for Bendel Insurance to join the train. All of us in the South South will be supporting Insurance to get one of the tickets,” Moses said.

TODAY’S FIXTURES

Gombe Utd Vs Elkanemi 1pm

B’Insurance Vs 3SC 3pm

DMD Vs Tornadoes 5pm

Ekiti Utd Vs Remo Stars 7pm

GROUP A

A1 Gombe United

A2 DMD

A3 Niger Tornadoes

A4 Elkanemi Warriors

GROUP B

B1 Bendel Insurance