By Rosemary Okoduwa
Bendel Insurance FC of Benin secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Enyimba Intl FC of Aba in a rescheduled Matchday 20 fixture of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
The decisive goal was scored by Kayode Oke in the 55th minute, helping the Benin Arsenals claim three vital points. This win marked the second time Bendel Insurance has taken points off Enyimba this season, having played out a goalless draw in Aba earlier.
The match saw Bendel Insurance dominate possession and create scoring opportunities, but Enyimba’s defense held firm until Oke’s breakthrough. The home team’s energetic forward came close to doubling the lead in the 67th minute, but Enyimba’s goalkeeper Henry Ani made a brilliant save.
Bendel Insurance’s head coach, Greg Ikhenoba, expressed delight with the win, describing it as a perfect birthday gift. “We created a lot of chances, but our finishing is still a concern,” he admitted.
Enyimba FC coach Stanley Eguma lamented his side’s misfortune, stating that the red card unsettled them and altered their game plan. “It was a good game, but being a man down made things difficult for us,” he said.
With this win, Bendel Insurance moves up to 15th place in the NPFL standings with 28 points from 23 matches. They will host Niger Tornadoes in their next fixture on Sunday, February 16.