Bendel Insurance FC returned to winning ways in impressive fashion on Sunday, October 4, thrashing Barau FC of Kano 4-1 in Matchday 7 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The emphatic victory at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, brought Barau FC’s unbeaten run to an end, as the Benin Arsenals produced a dominant performance in front of their home supporters.
Kayode Oke broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, firing Insurance into the lead in a keenly contested encounter that lived up to its billing.
The energetic forward completed his brace in the 70th minute, extending Insurance’s advantage and underlining the home side’s hunger for goals from the start.
Insurance head coach Kennedy Boboye made a tactical switch in the 66th minute, introducing Fatai Abdullahi, Wisdom Udom and Suraju Lawal for Efe Ubiomo, Emmanuel Dung and Alex Oweileyefa.
Barau FC responded three minutes later when Sugau Aliyu converted from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit and gave the visitors renewed hope.
However, Insurance remained resolute and quickly restrategised to contain the marauding Kano side.
In the 85th minute, Suraju Lawal restored Insurance’s two-goal advantage when he found the back of the net with Fatai Abdullah’s superb assist to make it 3-1 and put the game beyond the visitors’ reach.
With four minutes of added time indicated, Jonathan James completed the scoring by tapping in Insurance’s fourth goal, adding his name to the scoresheet and sealing a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
The result moves Bendel Insurance up to fifth position on the NPFL table with 12 points.
The Benin Arsenals will be away to Sporting Lagos next weekend.
Speaking after the game, Barau FC head coach Eugene Agagbe congratulated Bendel Insurance and praised the home side’s approach.
“Insurance showed strong character, better than last season. We lost to a very good team. I must admit that they played better today,” Agagbe said.
“When we changed our approach and put pressure on them, they responded well on time and made it difficult for us. When we play against a good side and lose, I don’t complain. Instead, we go back to look at how they did it and correct our mistakes.
“Congratulations to Coach Kennedy Boboye and his team. They actually played good football today.”
For Insurance coach Kennedy Boboye on the other hand said the result was pleasing, although he expressed concern over the early injury suffered by central defender Dennis Chigozie.
Boboye said he was unhappy to lose the reliable defender to injury and substitution as early as the ninth minute, a setback that put him under considerable pressure during the game.
He, however, commended his players for their strong response and praised their determination in securing a convincing victory.
