Bendel Insurance ended their winless run in the Nigeria Premier Football League in a well-deserved 2-1 victory over El Kanemi Warriors at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday evening.
Coach of the Benin Arsenal, Monday Odigie named an unchanged starting eleven that played a 1-1 draw against Remo Stars last weekend and this time, the players ensured they repaid the manager’s faith with a victory to end the five-game winless run.
Sarki Ismael’s header in the 54th minute from Efe Enabulele’s cross and Austin Ogunye’s calm finish four minutes later was enough to secure maximum points despite El Kanemi Warriors centre-back Mohammed Hussain halving the deficit in the 68th minute.
The Benin Arsenal went into today’s game with hopes of securing all three points, but the dream looked bleak as the first half saw an attacking-minded Insurance register three shots on target from eight shots. Unhappy with the team’s inability to score a goal, Monday Odigie’s tactical changes at halftime saved the day with Saturday Melubari and Austin Ogunye coming on for Imade Osarenkhoe and Osas Okoro.
It became obvious that the tactical changes paid off as the Benin Arsenal posed more attacking threats and the goals came in.
With three games until the end of the regular season, Bendel Insurance remains unbeaten in the NPFL after 15 games, with 31 points and a +11 goal difference.