Bendel Insurance will, for the next couple of months, hold the bragging rights of the Old Bendel territory as they open their 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League season with a statement win over neighbours, Warri Wolves, in a pulsating encounter at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Sunday evening.
Background
It is match day 1 of the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League season, with both sides having failed to beat each other since 2023 in all competitions. Today’s game was expected to be fiercer, as it is the first game of the season that means a lot for both sides.
The Game
The game lived up to its billing as Warri Wolves, courtesy of Bendel Insurance former player Itolowo Eventus, stunned the impressive crowd at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium just 120 seconds into the game. The player benefited from poor handling of Joshua Baba’s pass by a defender and wasted no time in giving his side the lead.
Bendel Insurance grew into the game and dominated possession, pushing back their opponents for an equaliser. Their efforts paid off in the 19th minute courtesy of Kayode Oke’s goal from the spot.
The remainder of the first half ended in fruitless efforts as both sides failed to create any chances to increase their tally.
The second half resumed with both coaches making tactical substitutions, but it was Bendel Insurance who got an instant benefit from their substitution. Talisman, Alex Oweilayefa, in the 59th minute, connected well with a pass from the midfield and latched on to the ball from close range to give Bendel Insurance the lead and what would be the game-winner.
Further tactical adjustments by the two sides would amount to nothing as the game ended 2-1 in favour of Bendel Insurance. The win becomes Insurance’s first over Warri Wolves in eight years, with both sides recording three draws since Warri Wolves defeated their hosts 1-0 in a reversed fixture that they lost 1-0 in the 2018 NNL season.
Up Next
Bendel Insurance will be on an away trip to Lafia, where they will face Nasarawa United, while Warri Wolves will sit out matchday two as their opponents, Rangers International, will be on continental duty in their first preliminary round of the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League.