It was a noisy evening in the City of Benin but not for the Lagosian, as Bendel Insurance thrilled fans present at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Lagos, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
Sporting Lagos were dealt with a huge blow as winger, Godwin Odibo was forcefully substituted due to an injury in the 14th minute. New signing, Wisdom Fernandez replaced Odibo.
Both defenses of both teams remained resolute as the teams attempted long balls but, Paul Offor deploying an offside trap kept Insurance at bay.
The breakthrough for Insurance came in the 32nd minute, as a well planned free-kick routine saw an unmarked Junior Osaghae finishing off a pass from Ebuka.
Five minutes after the first, Chukwudi Meze added the second with a beautiful header that saw Sporting Lagos goalie, Nathaniel Asibe dive to his fullest, yet could not get a touch on the ball to stop the inevitable goal.
At the hour mark, Divine Nwachukwu who started in midfield made it three as he finished as through pass from Chisom Okereke to add to the woes of the Lagosians.
Efforts for both sides however proved abortive until the 90+3 minute, when Henry Ndedi struck from almost 25-yards out to beat David Obiazo and deny the goalkeeper a cleansheet.
Both sides will face each other in matchday 20 of the Nigeria Premier Football League at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.