Bendel Insurance FC regain stability following their home loss to Niger Tornadoes as they demonstrated resilience
against former League champions Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Sunday in the Matchday 31 tie of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The Benin Arsenals put up a spectacular performance that earned them a point away from home regardless the 0-0 draw scoreline.
The coach Monday Odigie’s managed Insurance were close to recording their first away win of the season but were unlucky to pick the maximum points after a spot kick missed by defence strongman, Sunday Anyanwun in the 53rd minute of play, forcing the explosive encounter to end in a goalless draw at the Lafia City Stadium in Nasarawa state.
Sarki Ismael was hacked down inside the box by Lobi stars defender, preventing him from scoring after beating the offside hurdles in the 51st minute of the game, resulting in penalty in favour of Insurance FC. Unfortunately, Sunday Anyanwu’s spot kick went far away from the goal.
However the Matchday 31 encounter lived up to its expectation as the two Nigerian football giants involved were determined to win with more threats from the hosts while Insurance were tactical in absorbing the pressure and launching counter attack.
The tension from the host team however brought out the best of Stanley Okorom whose understanding and communication with Anyanwu Sunday and Ebuka Akobundu placed the invaders under checks.
Meanwhile, Insurance goalkeeper and captain, Amas Obasogie was the shining star in the game as his heroics earned him the Man of the Match award. The Bendel Insurance goalie was alive to his responsibility throughout the game.
Insurance survived the first major scare 13 minutes into the game when Lobi’s Adebayo Waheed wasted a vital chance as his shot went an inch away from the goal. Another chance came the way of the host again five minutes later but Alao Dabani shot wide.
In the 30th minute, Amas Obasogie kept a fine save, as his team’s confidence continued to grow in absorbing the squeeze and threats from Lobi Stars with Divine Nwachukwu, Chisom Okereke and Sarki Ismael posing some threats in their counter attack.
In the 43rd minute, Amas Obasogie made another fine save to deny Lobi stars another clear chance, forcing the game into a goalless halftime
On resumption for the second half, Lobi Stars came close to breaking the deadlock but Amas Obasogie was alive to his responsibility again as he parried away a close range shot.
Insurance chance to get a goal and probably run away with three points came when Sarki was hacked down in the box by Lobo stars defender in the 51 minute, promting the center referee to point to the spot but the spot kick was squandered by hardworking Sunday Anyanwu.
Sodje Stephen’s 62nd minute shot on target was parried away by Lobi Stars goalie Daniel Emmanuel.
The host team mounted more pressure between the 70th minute and 90th minute of play in their search for a goal but Insurance survived all attempts by Lobi Stars strikers as Amas Obasogie”s goalkeeping wizardry made it difficult for Lobi Stars to get the breakthrough.
Recall that Insurance also picked a 1-1 draw at Kwara United in the Matchday 29 engagement before a hard fought 2-1 over Kano Pillars in the Matchday 30 to put the home loss embarrassment behind them.
The Benin Arsenals defeated Lobi Stars 1-0 in their first round meeting in Benin.
The Benin Arsenals now have 42 points from 31 games and will be host to Heartland FC of Owerri in the Matchday 32 fixture scheduled to hold on Saturday, April 27, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. Kick off time is 4pm.
