Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin on Wednesday, surrendered all three points to Enyimba FC in the 2023/24 rescheduled Match Day One game in Aba.
After a goalless first half, substitute Joseph Atule broke the deadlock for the People’s Elephants in the 70th minute of play.
The celebration of Enyimba FC fans only lasted for five minutes as Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie’s long pass found well-positioned Sarki Ismael. Sarki didn’t waste the assist from Amas Obasogie as he flicked the ball beyond the reach of Enyimba’s goalie, Ani Ozoemena to get an equalizer for the Benin Arsenals.
In the 80th minute, the People’s Elephants got the winning goal courtesy of Julius Emiloju’s own goal from a defensive error. The pressure came from Chijioke Mboama’s cut-in pass inside the Insurance box which Julius Emiloju tried to clear of danger but ended up helping the defending champions.
Amas Obasogie’s fine saves on different occasions had denied Atule and Mboama good scoring chances but his heroics were not enough to help Insurance run away with a point as mistakes from his defenders were costly.
The Benin Arsenals still maintain their sixth position on the log with 13 points and will be on the road to Kano to face Kano Pillars on Sunday in the Match Day 10 fixture.
In a post-match interview, Insurance FC Coach Monday Odigie said that his boys fought well to stop the People’s Elephants but unfortunately made the mistakes that cost them the game towards the end of the game.
“You could see the way we allowed the two goals. The two goals were scrambled in goals as a result of mistakes. The game has come and gone, but we Nigerians should learn how to accept defeat. We will go back to correct our mistakes while preparing for our next game. I will not put pressure on my players,” Odigie stressed
Enyimba’s head coach Finidi George on the other hand expressed satisfaction with his boys’ show of character and the outcome.
“I am happy that we won. It is always tough playing against Insurance. We expected a tough game and we prepared for it,’ Coach Finidi remarked.
