NPFL Matchday 12 Round-Up: Late Taiwo Winner Lifts Bendel Insurance to Second

John Taiwo's stoppage-time winner gave Bendel Insurance a dramatic 2-1 win over Niger Tornadoes in Benin City on Sunday and lifted them to second in the NPFL table. Elsewhere on Matchday 12, Nasarawa United came from behind to beat Plateau United, Ranchers Bees beat Enyimba and Barau edged Shooting Stars. Here is the full NPFL Matchday 12 round-up.

Bendel Insurance 2-1 Niger Tornadoes: Late Drama in Benin

Niger Tornadoes took the lead at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium when Aliyu Mohammed scored from the penalty spot nine minutes before half-time. Bendel responded in first-half added time, with Jonathan Mairiga levelling the score before the break (Football in Nigeria (opens in a new tab)).

The game looked to be heading for a draw until John Taiwo struck deep in stoppage time to win it for the hosts. The result takes Bendel to 21 points from 12 matches, three behind leaders Rangers (Premium Times (opens in a new tab)).

It was a rare setback for Tornadoes, who came into the game unbeaten in five league matches with four clean sheets in that run.

Nasarawa United 3-1 Plateau United

Nasarawa United produced the comeback of the round. Nenrot Silas gave Plateau a 1-0 half-time lead, but Alao Danbani scored twice midway through the second half and Jofrank Istifanus added a third late on. Plateau finished with 10 men after Sabbath Mancha was sent off for a second yellow card (Africa Top Sports (opens in a new tab)). Nasarawa move up to third on 20 points.

Rangers 1-0 Kwara United

The leaders made it 24 points from 11 games with another narrow win. Victor Chimezie scored five minutes before half-time in Awka, and Kwara had a late equaliser ruled out (Voice of Nigeria (opens in a new tab)).

Other NPFL Matchday 12 Results

• Barau FC 1-0 Shooting Stars: An early Olakunle Akala own goal settled it in Kano. Barau move to 19 points.
• Ranchers Bees 1-0 Enyimba: Chiedozie Jude Okorie scored the winner in Minna, leaving the record champions on 11 points.
• Abia Warriors 2-2 Doma United: Emeka Obioma scored twice for Abia, but Doma took a point through Tijani Azeez and Samuel Akpan.
• Warri Wolves 1-1 Katsina United: Luis Dadong put Katsina ahead before Sabastine Uche equalised for Warri.
• Kun Khalifat 1-1 Kano Pillars: Sikiru Alimi put Pillars ahead late on, but Ebuka Okoro equalised with a 90th-minute penalty.

Sporting Lagos vs Rivers United was postponed, and Ikorodu City host Inter Lagos on Monday to close the round.

NPFL Table: Top Six After Matchday 12

• 1. Rangers: 24 points (11 played)
• 2. Bendel Insurance: 21 points (12 played)
• 3. Nasarawa United: 20 points
• 4. Kano Pillars: 19 points (12 played)
• 5. Barau FC: 19 points (12 played)
• 6. Rivers United: 18 points (11 played)

How Our Prediction Did

We tipped Bendel Insurance to win or draw, and that came in. But we expected a tight, low-scoring game and predicted 1-0, so our correct score, under 2.5 goals and both teams to score (No) tips did not land. Tornadoes' strong defensive run made the low-scoring angle look sensible, but Bendel's attack found a way through twice.

What Comes Next

The league goes straight into Matchday 13. According to Flashscore's fixture list (opens in a new tab), Bendel travel to Shooting Stars, while Rangers visit a Niger Tornadoes side that will want to bounce back quickly. Rivers United also have their postponed game against Sporting Lagos to play, so the gap at the top could change fast. Check official NPFL announcements for final dates and kickoff times.