Bendel Insurance resumes the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier Football League 2023/24 season on a poor note as the Benin Arsenal lost to struggling Sporting Lagos by a lone goal at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
The game started with Bendel Insurance struggling to keep up with the pace of the Noisy Lagosians as they were swift in their attack. As fast as the third minute, Paschal had a good chance to score the opener but his shot went wide as he was unable to place Isaac’s cross well. Another opportunity came again in the 11th minute, this time for Jonathan Alukwu in front of an empty net, who was unable to turn in a fast cross from Paschal.
With so much pressure on the Benin Arsenal, Monday Odigie strategised to power up his midfield, bringing Divine Nwachukwu into the heat of the action. With that tactical decision, Insurance began gaining momentum but was unable to create any clear-cut chance.
A big and dangerous opportunity came in the 35th minute as Chinedu Ufere put the stadium at a standstill with a shot from outside the 18 that hit the crossbar.
Two minutes into the second half, Alukwu came close to scoring but his shot from close was wide off target with the scoreline level. Monday Odigie made his first change bringing on captain Maurice Prince for Paul Obata in the 56th minute.
The breakthrough finally came for Sporting Lagos in the 56th minute with Tochukwu Micheal catching the Bendel defence out with a smartly taken freekick from the edge of the box. Although there were appeals from the away team for a handball in the build-up to the goal, the centre referee turned deaf ears to their appeals.
To turn things around, Chukwudi Meze was introduced for Stephen Sodje in the 68th minute, adding to the strength of Insurance’s attack. Yet, Bendel Insurance could not level under the deafening sounds from the vuvuzelas of the Noisy Lagosians.
Austin Ogunye and Raymond Ikhenoba were introduced for Chisom Okereke and Divine Nwachukwu with less than two minutes of regulation time to play. With eight minutes of added time, Insurance still could not score.
Bendel Insurance has now lost six games this season.
Photo Credit: Fola Gureiro