Bendel Insurance FC on Saturday secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Kun Khalifat FC in a Match Day 30 encounter of the Nigeria Professional Football League played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The encounter, which kicked off at 4:00 p.m., saw the Benin Arsenals make a flying start, thrilling home supporters with an early breakthrough.
Insurance went ahead in the fourth minute when Emmanuel Akpan delivered the opening goal to put the hosts 1–0 up.
The home side continued to dictate the tempo of the game, maintaining their slim advantage through the 16th and 33rd minutes as they pressed forward in search of more goals.
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Their persistence paid off in the 41st minute when Kayode Oke doubled the lead for Insurance with a superb finish after a brilliant solo effort from the diminutive Emmanuel Dung.
Dung’s dazzling run unsettled the visiting defence before setting up Oke, whose clinical strike produced a beautifully worked team goal that delighted the home crowd.
Four minutes were added at the end of the first half, but the scoreline remained unchanged as the referee signalled halftime with Insurance firmly in control at 2–0.
The second half resumed with Kun Khalifat showing renewed determination, and the visitors reduced the deficit in the 51st minute to make it 2–1, setting up a tense contest.
Insurance maintained their composure as the match progressed, though the visitors continued to search for an equaliser.
In the 67th minute, the home side made a triple substitution, withdrawing Akpan, Dung and Udom for Ubiomo, Nwosu and Musa in a tactical move aimed at preserving their advantage.
Further adjustments followed in the 84th minute when Akuneto Chijioke made way for Nnamdi Anthony.
Five minutes of added time were indicated at the end of regulation time, as both teams battled fiercely in the closing stages.
Insurance made a late substitution in the 93rd minute, with goal scorer Kayode Oke replaced by Victor Edema as the hosts held firm to protect their lead.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, Insurance successfully saw out the match to claim all three points in front of their home supporters in Benin.
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