Bendel Insurance Hands Rivers United Their First Loss in NPFL Match

Rivers United faced their first loss of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season on Sunday. They went down 2-1 to Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

Despite this loss, the Port Harcourt team stays at the top with 17 points and a goal difference of +10 after 10 matches. Rangers International and Nasarawa United are also on 17 points, sitting in second and third place with goal differences of +5 and +3. Rangers have two games in hand because of continental duties.

Plateau United is in fourth place with 15 points, making the fight for the top spots very tight.

At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Freeman Wuchirwe put Bendel Insurance ahead in the 48th minute. Chijioke Mbaoma brought Rivers United level in the 73rd minute.

Mbaoma scored calmly after Shola Oladunjoye sent a perfect pass behind the Bendel defence. But Jonathan James scored again for Bendel Insurance in the 89th minute, sealing the win and ending Rivers United's nine-match unbeaten streak.

Rivers United goalkeeper Clinton Andy made three important saves in a goalless first half, but the team could not stop the late goal that gave the hosts the victory.