EUROMATCHNPFL champions Rangers International continued their title defence in style on Wednesday as they saw off Bendel Insurance 1-0 at the Awka Township Stadium.
Centre-back Chidozie Iwundu scored the winner for the champions two into the second half to seal the three points and ensure they move into top spot.
Rangers, who started the game in second place, had to face third-placed Benin Arsenals without their main striker Godwin Obaje due to suspension.
In the absence of Obaje, teenage striker Abolade Daniel Akorede started up front alongside Emo James.
Bendel Insurance head coach, Kennedy Boboye, stuck to the starters that earned his side their first away win of the campaign at Kwara United over the weekend with goalkeeper Joseph Orya starting in goal for the third consecutive match while experienced Amas Obasogie was missing entirely from the matchday squad once again.
It was Boboye’s men who got out of the blocks faster. Alex Oweilayefa’s free kick forced Rangers goalkeeper Abdullahi Jimoh into making a save and Chinedu Nwosu followed up an effort that missed target.
The champions grew into the game and in the 15th minute, Orya made a comfortable save from Joel Odoh’s attempt.
The Flying Antelopes began to control things with Folarin Temitope, Ikechukwu Mgbemena, Chidiebere Nwobodo, Chidozie Iwundu and Philip Clement getting involved.
It became an end-to-end flow in fragments of the first half. First Nwobodo came close to scoring for Rangers just as Oweilayefa and Nwosu turned up at the other end with Jimoh shutting them out.
Late scoring chances from both sides could not be converted as the first half ended goalless.
It was Rangers that started the second half on the front foot. On 47 minutes, Iwundu capitalized on a follow-up to head home what turned out to be the winner after Orya had initially stopped Emo’s attempt from going in.
Rangers should have doubled their lead almost immediately through Iwundu but Orya was alert to prevent his headed attempt from going into the net.
The champions managed the second half well after taking the lead to make sure they claim the full points and go three points ahead of second-placed Rivers United. The champions still have an outstanding game to play but will first welcome Kwara United to the Awka Township Stadium this Sunday.
Bendel Insurance, now in fourth place, will play hosts to Niger Tornadoes at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City this Sunday.