Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin,Saturday narrowly missed the chance of progressing to the quarter finals stage of the 2022 Aiteo Cup as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Nasarawa Utd in the round of 16 battle at the Enyimba stadium in Aba,Abia state.
The Benin Arsenals in a similar manner, suffered a 3-1 defeat in the hands of the same opponents in the same stage last season.
Sunday Okereke put Nasarawa Utd in front, 18 minutes into the game as he finished the counter their rear guardmen initiated after Dede muoghara had left Insurance left back area open,following his incursion into the Nasarawa Utd area in support of attack build up for his side.
Insurance defence strongman Benjamin Tanimu whose effort at covering for Dede could not stop Okereke from scoring ,came out on an immediate revenge mission as he initiated a counter attack and his assit found Adodo Stephens in a vital position who flicked the ball with his back heel beyond the reach of Nasarawa Utd goalie Ameh Godwin for an equalizer,27 minutes into the game.
The game remained Balanced as both side went into the dressing room at half time with a 1-1 scoreline.
Shortly after the second half proceedings began,the Centre referee punished Odinaka Edeh for a tackle in Insurance box as he awarded undeserved penalty kick for Nasarawa which was neatly converted by Sunday Okereke to make it 2-1 for his side.
Insurance tactician Monday Odigie made quick substitutions in response to his opponents lead,bring on Taiwo Oripelaye, Deputy Echeta and Imade Osarenkhoe whose impact were felt immediately as they changed the complexion of the game.
Insurance continued to mount pressure on the NPFL side in search of an equalizer as substitute Imade released a close range shot that met woodwork in the 75th minute of play,They took the battle to the Nasarawa Utd gate but the solid miners were lucky to escape upset.
The Benin Arsenals proved ready to soar in the 2023 Nigeria Professional Football League as they put up impressive performance against coach Bala Nkiyu’s men
in the second half of the game as they dictated the pace despite the 2-1 loss.
The Benin Arsenal,according to their manager will now shift their focus on NPFL preseason preparations.
