Amas Obasogie once again proved that his call-up to the Super Eagles of Nigeria wasn’t a fluke after his penalty save earned Bendel Insurance football club of Benin a barren draw in Kano, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
It was match day 10 of the Nigeria Premier Football League and Bendel Insurance in their second game on the road in four days ended in the team sharing the spoils with their host, Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha stadium, Kano.
The Benin Arsenals went into the game with much pressure, having managed just three points in four games and their fear was evident when Kano Pillars earned a penalty just 7 minutes into the game — Amas Obasogie had rushed out to clear a one ball, but the referee adjudged him to have brought down penalt Kano Pillars forward, Mustapha Umar and pointed to the spot for a penalty.
Amas guessed right to stop Kano Pillars captain, Rabiu Alli’s kick and give Bendel Insurance a sigh of relief.
Bendel Insurance had a chance in the 18th minute when Sarki Ismael was presented a one-on-one opportunity, but goalkeeper, Mohammed Galadima put up a good stop to deny Insurance of taking the lead.
Bendel Insurance was presented with yet another opportunity in the 39th minute, this time, it was Haruna Abubakar who failed you score in a one-on-one situation with Mohammed Galadima.
The first half ended scoreless with Amas Obasogie once again denying the Sai Masu Gida a scoring opportunity. Kano Pillars went into the dressing room for a time break ruing their missed penalty.
The second half started and Monday Odigie made some changes to get a goal — Haruna Abubakar made way for Tamara Ezekiel in the 51st minute before Chisom Okereke made way for Raymond Ikhenoba 5 minutes later.
Sarki Ismael once again was given another chance to put the visitors ahead in the 65th minute, but his effort was poor to get a goal.
Four minutes from time, Monday Odigie threw in Stanley Okorom and Joel Djong for Kelly Kester and Sarki Ismael to fortify his defence line.
Bendel Insurance in the 95th minute survived another scare as Kano Pillars mounted pressure to get the winning goal with incessant attacks.
The centre referee sounded the final whistle and it was a disappointing end for the home team, no thanks to Amas Obasogie’s 9th-minute penalty save.
Bendel Insurance will welcome the first first-placed team, Lobi Stars of Markudi to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on the second day of December in match day 11 fixture.