Rivio Anyemwere, Kelechi Onwe and Ajiyigbe Toyeeb were on target as Ikorodu City picked up their first ever Nigeria Premier Football League win over Bendel Insurance in 3-0 victory on matchday 6 of the 2024/25 season.
Ikorodu started brightly, with Emmanuel Solomon testing the Bendel goalkeeper, Suleiman Solihu early in the 9th minute with a shot from inside the box, but the keeper made a smart save to keep the score level. Seven minutes later, Meyiwa failed to convert a loose ball after the goalkeeper’s fumble, missing a crucial opportunity to break the deadlock.
Meyiwa came close again in the 21st minute, failing to latch onto a cross from Stanley Okorom. Although the goalkeeper missed the ball, Meyiwa couldn’t capitalize, as Damilare Aina reacted swiftly to snatch the ball away.
In the 27th minute, Rivio nearly found the breakthrough with a brilliant solo run, dribbling past the Insurance goalkeeper, but Okorom made a heroic goal-line clearance to deny him.
Insurance’s defense was stretched again in the 35th minute when Emmanuel Solomon headed a corner kick towards goal, only for Meyiwa to inadvertently block the ball on the goal line, clearing it to safety.
In the 38th minute, Oyedokun Tosin thought he had scored the opener, only to see his effort ruled out for offside by the assistant referee. Ikorodu continued to push forward, but Insurance’s defense stood firm, with a series of last-ditch blocks in the 40th minute keeping the score at 0-0 going into halftime.
The second half began with Ikorodu taking the lead just two minutes after the restart. In the 47th minute, Ojetoye Waliu dazzled down the left flank, dribbling past several Insurance defenders before launching a pinpoint cross that found an unmarked Rivio, who headed into an empty net to break the deadlock.
Bendel Insurance quickly made substitutions in the 49th minute, bringing on Vincent Okeke and Denis Chigozie for Uche Collin’s and Dede Muoghara to shore up the defense and midfield respectively l. However, Ikorodu continued to pile on the pressure, creating a flurry of chances by the 54th minute, though they couldn’t find a second goal just yet.
That second goal did come soon after in the 56th minute, capitalizing on another defensive blunder by Insurance. Kelechi Onwe rose high to head in Tosin Oyedokun’s long throw, punishing Insurance’s poor organization at the back.
The game became physical as tempers flared, with Stanley Okorom receiving a yellow card in the 57th minute for a reckless challenge on Solomon Sunday. Just four minutes later, Kelechi Onwe also found himself in the referee’s book for fouling Oke Kayode near the edge of the box.
The Benin Arsenal nearly halved the deficit in the 65th minute when substitute Vincent’s shot flew just over the crossbar, keeping Insurance’s slim hopes alive. Insurance responded with a double substitution in the 70th minute, bringing on Austin Ogunye and Chinedu Onyejekwe to inject fresh energy.
However, it was Ikorodu who struck again in the 74th minute to seal the victory. Substitute Ajeyigbe Toheeb exploited another defensive error after goalkeeper Solihu misjudged a cross, leaving the defense in disarray. Toheeb dribbled past multiple defenders and eventually the goalkeeper before roofing the ball into the net to make it 3-0.
Bendel Insurance introduced Chineme Chinonso and Alade Solomon in the 79th minute, but by then, the damage was done.
With the clock winding down, it became a frustrating end for Insurance, with Ikorodu’s goalkeeper, Damilare Aina receiving a yellow card for time-wasting in the 82nd minute, as they looked to close out the game comfortably.
With this dominant 3-0 performance, Ikorodu proved clinical and organized, while Insurance’s defensive errors cost them dearly. The win lifts Ikorodu away from the bottom of the table. Bendel Insurance sits 12th pending results from other match venues.