NPFL: Bendel Insurance Pip Enyimba 1-0 in Benin
By Simeon OSAJIE
Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin also known as ‘Benin Arsenal’ defeated visiting Enyimba International Football Club of Aba by a lone goal in rescheduled week 20 NPFL encounter, played at the famous Samurai Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.
The lone goal was scored in the 55 minutes of play by the attacker, Kayode Oke, who deflected a shot from Nnamdi Anthony into the net of the visitors.
In what was a keenly contested match between the two teams, it was the homers (Insurers) who did enough to take all three points to the bag.
The visitors suffered a setback early in the first half of the encounter after their central back, Innocent Gabriel was sent off for committing a last man foul against Insurance Oke.
The centre referee had a judged Gabriel to have illegally stopped Oke who was running through at goal, resulting to a straight red card for the defender.
Enyimba upon resumption of hostility in the second half threw everything at the homers with five substitutions that included Nigerian ex international, Junior Lakosa, Somiari Alalibo, and Chinedu Ufere in search of an equaliser.
Speaking to The9jaTREND during a post match conference, Head Coach of Bendel Insurance, Greg Ikhenoba, said the victory was a perfect birthday gift for him as his birthday comes up on Thursday.
He maintained his lads will continue to improve on their performances as the games comes by.
On his part, Enyimba FC Coach, Stanley Eguma, rued their missed goal scoring opportunities, saying that they will be going to Aba to correct the problem against visiting Rivers United in their week 25 encounter.
It would be recalled that Bender Insurance had a goalless draw in Aba during the first Stanza of the 2024/25 NPFL season.
They will be entertaining visiting Niger Tornadoes on Sunday and a win will brighten their hope of continental ticket.
