Bendel Insurance FC of Benin on Thursday defeated the visiting Ikorodu FC of Lagos with 2-1.
DAILY POST reports that Bendel Insurance defeated their opponents in a tense Matchday 26 fixture of the Nigerian Premier Football League, NPFL, played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State.
The Benin Arsenal, despite wasting several goal-scoring chances in the first half, however, found the net in the second half.
The goal was scored by Stanley Okorom who fired a powerful volley into the net, thereby giving the home side a lead.
Ikorodu responded swiftly, equalizing just three minutes later through Adelani Shola, who curled in a brilliant free-kick to silence the home crowd.
Insurance FC, which dominated possession in the first half, came close to breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute through Uche Collins, but his effort was not good enough to produce a goal.
The visiting team, Ikorodu FC, on the other hand, was largely passive in attack, struggling to create chances.
The only notable moment in the first half was a yellow card for Sodeinde Moses of Ikorodu FC in the 40th minute following a reckless tackle.
The first half ended goalless, with Insurance left to regret their missed opportunities.
At the resumption of the second half, Insurance approached the game with more urgency, but Collins missed another chance just three minutes after the restart.
The visitors appeared more aggressive after their goal, but Insurance regained control of the game.
Insurance’s efforts were, however, rewarded in the 68th minute, when Uche Collins redeemed himself, slotting home the winning goal to secure all three points for the Benin-based side.
In an interview after the match, Greg Ikhenoba, Insurance’s head coach said the club was relieved to secure the three points, especially after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Ikorodu in the first leg earlier in the season.
“Always, I will say thanks and glory to God because I knew it was going to be a very difficult game.
“This was the first team that defeated us 3-0 in the first round, and that was the beginning of the difficult situation we found ourselves.
“But that is in the past. We give glory to God for today’s result,” he said.
Speaking on the Insurance’s next game on Sunday, Greg Ikhenoba, said the team would remain focused.
According to him, “when you get to the river, you think of how to cross it. This game is gone now, and the next one is on Sunday. We keep our focus and tell the boys to do what they know how to do best.”
However, despite the loss, Ikorodu’s coach, Nuruden Aweroro described the match as a learning experience for his team.
“First of all, I want to give thanks for the game. The result is not what I hoped for, but this is one of those matches that will teach me how to make the right corrections for the team,” he said.
Speaking on the performance of the players in the first half, he said, “I don’t think they played badly. They played according to the game’s situation. But we planned for a win, not a draw.”
