Kingsley Abavo, Benin
Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, on Saturday, 20 January, 2024 thrashed FC Sporting Lagos 3-1 in the Match Day 19, ending the first round of the Nigeria Premier Football League on a winning note.
Junior Osaghae got the curtain raiser for Bendel Insurance in the 33rd minute of play after a strong resistance from the visitors. He pounced on a rebound to fire in the goal.
Earlier, Chisom Okereke had fired a goal bound long range shot that was blocked off target by Sporting defenders.
But five minutes later, goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe and his defenders were again punished when they left the hunter; Chukwudi Meze unchecked in the box as he connected well with Junior Osaghae's pullout and headed home to open his goal account with the Benin Arsenal.
Bendel Insurance FC continued to dominate the game till the end of first half, leaving the visitors deflated going into the half time break.
On resumption for the second half, Sporting Lagos up their game after making two substitutions.
They looked dangerous in Insurance area but the home team defence strongmen; Sunday Anyanwu, Benjamin Tanimu and Ebuka Akonbudu did everything to curtail their rampaging moves.
In the 60th minute, Divine Nwachukwu increased the tally to 3-1 for the Insurance.
He was well positioned near the arc of the 18 yard box to complete the assignment Chisom Okereke initiated when his shot on target was parried by Sporting goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe.
However when the game was seemingly beyond the visitors, the Insurance goalie David Obiazo gifted Sporting Lagos the consolation goal through Henry Ndedi in the 91st minute.
The 3-1 victory over Sporting Lagos has now pushed Insurance up to the fifth position on the League table with 30 points, three points behind leaders; Lobi Stars who played their last game of the first round against Plateau Utd on Sunday.
In a post match interview, Bendel Insurance coach Monday Odigie praised his boys for being able to convert the chances they got into goals.
Insisting that Insurance is still work in progress, Odigie indicated that his side would take advantage of the mid season transfer window to beef up their strength.
As he expressed the confidence that the Benin Arsenal will keep improving when the second stanza begins.
While coach Paul Offor of Sporting Lagos admitted in an interview with journalists that his side lost to a superior side.
Adding that the 3-1 loss to Insurance is their biggest defeat this season.
With the loss in Benin, Sporting Lagos have dropped to 16th on the log with 18 points from 18 matches in the Football League.
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