… coach Odigie salutes players’ courage
… other goals galore, three away wins recorded
Rivers United held Bendel Insurance to a goalless draw despite being a man disadvantaged on Sunday on the opening match day of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.
Notwithstanding the score line, the Head Coach and Technical Director of Bendel Insurance Football Club, Monday Odigie has expressed confidence in the ability of his players to deliver in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football season despite posting a 0-0 draw at home against Rivers Utd in their first match.
Coach Odigie is optimistic the new outlook of Bendel Insurance team will get better as the League progresses.
“Draw is part of football and we will go back to correct our mistakes and as well continue to work hard. I have confidence in my boys. The League just started, we will get better,” he said.
The Benin Arsenals began the new season campaign in Benin in a stalemated encounter as they were not able to convert their chances against Rivers Utd’s side which was reduced to 10 men after their goalkeeper, Bamidele Adeniyi, was sent off the field for a rough tackle on Kayode Oke near the edge of the box.
Larger parts of the 90-minute duration of the match were played in the rain.
Insurance will be on the road to Katsina Utd in their second match of the season. The match is scheduled to be held on Sunday, September 15, in Katsina.
Speaking during the post-match interview, Rivers Utd. Coach Finidi George commended his boys for a job well done. He said he’s happy that they were able to hold Bendel Insurance till the end despite playing the second half with 10 men.
“It is always difficult to beat Insurance home or away. ” You can’t take it away from them. When I was in Enyimba it was the same thing. We always find it difficult to beat them. We are happy to go back home with a point from here and we will consolidate on it in our next game at home,” he said.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes got off to a fine start after beating Kwara United 2-1 away from home at the Ilorin Township Stadium. Majin Mohammed-led side continued their blistering form to become the first team to score away from home in the 2024/2025 NPFL season courtesy of a 32nd-minute strike from Joseph Godstime.
In Umuahia, Imama Amapakabo’s return to club management suffered a huge blow as Remo Stars scored two un-replied goals to coast home the maximum points against Abia Warriors.
The Oriental Derby in Owerri lived up to expectations as Enyimba FC came from a goal down to beat Heartland FC 3-1 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri.
Newcomers Ikorodu City FC were beaten 3-0 by Kano Pillars, while Plateau United defeated Katsina United one-nil in Jos, and Shooting Stars of Ibadan snatched a point off Nasarawa United in Lafia.
Lobi Stars will host Akwa United on Monday at the Lafia Township Stadium to conclude the fixtures for match day one.
Match Day One Results:
1. Rangers International 0-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
2. Heartland FC 1-3 Enyimba FC
3. Sunshine Stars 3-0 Bayelsa United
4. Kwara United 1-2 Niger Tornadoes
5. Bendel Insurance 0-0 Rivers United
6. Abia Warriors 0-2 Remo Stars
7. Plateau United 1-0 Katsina United
8. Nasarawa United 1-1 3SC
9. Kano Pillars 3-0 Ikorodu City FC
