NPFL: Bendel Insurance pip Enyimba 1-0 in Benin

Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin defeated visiting Enyimba International Football Club of Aba by a lone goal in a rescheduled week 20 NPFL encounter, played at the Samurai Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin

The lone goal was scored in the 55 minutes of play by the Benin Arsenals 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 foul against Insurance Oke

The referee had judged Gabriel to have illegally stopped Oke who was running through at goal, resulting in 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 Sporting Tribune 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 their performances as the games come 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.

 

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