Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin surrendered all three points to struggling Heartland FC of Owerri after a 1-0 loss on Wednesday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, in one of the Match Day 12 fixtures of the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Austin Osayande scored the only goal of the match in the 51st minute of play to give Heartland FC their first victory in the league after playing 12 matches.
Heartland did not look good enough to get the three maximum points against Insurance FC, as Kennedy Boboye’s team struggled to keep up with the pace of the game within the first 15 minutes with a couple of mistakes in their rear. Chisom Okereke went close to scoring for Insurance in the 8th and 10th minutes of play but Chisom Chiaha was good in the goal post for the Naze Millionaires.
Coach Monday Odigie in his search for an equalizer, made five substitutions and a tactical switch, bringing on Chukwudi Meze and Osaghae Jr for Chisom Okereke and Haruna Abubakar in the 62nd minute of play. He completed the changes with Raymond Ikhenoba, Akpos Godbless, and Evans Ogbonda for Sarki Ismael, Stephen Sodje, and Paul Obata in the 83rd minute of the game. Still, the hosts remained determined to keep their first three maximum points.
The Naze Millionaires defended the 1-0 lead and eventually gave their fans something good to home, winning their first game of the season.
In a post-match interview, Coach Monday Odigie blamed Bendel Insurance’s loss on indiscipline in his defense area.
“We lost concentration at that moment and we paid for it,” coach Monday said.
He expressed confidence in his side getting it right regarding goal scoring as they continue to work hard and correct their mistakes.
On the other hand, Heartland FC coach Kennedy Boboye, whose team recorded their first victory in the league said he was pleased with the result.
“Let me give kudos to my boys because they fought for it. We are happy and we will continue to work on goal scoring so that we can be sure of winning so that we can get out of where we are,” coach Kennedy remarked.
The Benin Arsenals will be at home against Sunshine Stars of Akure on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, in the Match Day 13 fixture. Kick-off time is 4:00 PM.
