Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, on Sunday afternoon defeated ambitious Sunshine Stars 1-0 to book the semifinals stage ticket of the 2023 Federation Cup.
Imade Osarenkhoe scored the only goal of the match at the Awka City Stadium in the 56th minute of play after converting a deserved spot kick to put the Benin Arsenals in front. Stars defender Ogbuagbu Emmanuel was penalized for hand ball in their box. Insurance FC had missed several scoring opportunities, credit to Sunshine’s goalie Mustapha Lawal whose sharp reflexes denied Imade and Echeta first half goals to keep the half at 0-0 before the referee’s whistle.
The Benin Arsenals remain invincible in all competitions this season, after edging Sunshine Stars whose boastful Chairman, Tunde Ogunja, had boasted before Kick off that the Owena Wales will end Insurance FC unbeaten glory in Awka by giving Insurance bitter pills to swallow but the soaring Insurance FC proved to his team why they are dominant. Bendel Insurance refused to swallow Ogunja’s bitter pills in the end.
Insurance will be facing Warri Wolves in the semifinals match which is likely to hold after NPFL Super Six tournament holding in Lagos between June 1st and 11th.
Warri Wolves dumped out Lobi Stars 2-1 in Ijebu Ode to set Insurance FC challenge.
The 1-0 victory ensured Insurance FC progressed to the last four of the challenge Cup on Sunday, after nearly two decades of missing out at this stage.
The coach Monday Odigie led Benin Arsenals are now gunning for double honours this season, having qualified for the NPFL Super Six playoffs and FA Cup Semi Finals.
