By Kehinde Osagiede
Bendel Insurance Football Club, weekend defeated Sunshine Stars of Akure 1-0 in the match day 30 of the Nigeria Premier Football League,played at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin.
Kayode Oke Solomon scored the only goal of the math in the 20th minute of the game to help the Benin Arsenals secure the maximum three points against the Owena waves of Akure. The energetic striker Kayode Oke who was outstanding in the match, sent his long range curled strike into the far corner of the net to send the already agitated home fans into wild jubilation.
Kayode’s outstanding performance and the fantastic strike earned him the Man of the Match award.
The important 1-0 home victory has now pushed Insurance FC up to number 5 on the table with 44 points.
Recall that Insurance defeated Sunshine Stars 2-1 in the first round of the season .
The Benin Arsenals will be heading to the Northern part of the country again on Wednesday as they face Kano Pillars in the match day 31 where Insurance would be looking to take back their pound of flesh.
Bendel Insurance suffered a 1-0 defeat in the hands of Kano Pillars in Benin during the first round meeting at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.
In a post match interview,the Head Coach of Bendel Insurance Greg Ikhenoba showered praise on his boys for being able to hold on to the first half goal lead despite the noticeable weakness.
According to him, the three maximum points are the important part of the game and thanked God his team managed to get it. ” I thank God we got the three points,it was what.we planned to get. I thank the management for standing behind us and thank the boys for their resilience.
” As a matter of fact, some of my boys were fatigued. They need some rest. The boys have been very busy, playing two or three games within a week and long distant journeys . Last week,we traveled to Umuahia for Abia Warriors and next day from there to Lafia, Nasarawa state for the round of 64 FA cup. So, I must commend my boys they have done well.”
The awards winning Coach Greg Ikhenoba said that the focus of the team now is on Kano Pillars game and assured Insurance fans of good result.
Meanwhile, coach Greg Ikhenoba has received the League Bloggers awards as the best Manager of the month of February 2025.
Coach Greg Ikhenoba has been able to prove critics wrong since his promotion as the head coach of Bendel Insurance since after the resignation of his former boss Monday Odigie. Coach Greg Ikhenoba guided Insurance from the rock bottom position of the league to a comfortable place and now fifth on the table.
Receiving the plaque for the awards, Coach Ikhenoba expressed appreciation for the honour done him. ” I return the glory to God for making this possible. I dedicate this award to the management and prayers of Bendel Insurance. I also dedicate this award to our tireless fans and supporters,including our good friends who have been by us.”
