Super Sub Junior Osaghae at the death insured Bendel Insurance with three points against Lobi Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in matchday 11 of the Nigeria Premier Football League., platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
What was seeming to be another draw for Bendel Insurance was averted by Osaghae, who came off the bench for Evans Ogbonda in the 80th minute tapped into a low cross from Paul Obata to seal maximum points.
Bendel Insurance had gone into the game with an unchanged side from the team that held Kano Pillars, to a goalless draw at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
The Benin Arsenal biggest chance came in the 22nd minute when Chisom Okereke found Sarki Ismael in the box, but the winger beautiful control resulted into a poor wide finish. Six minutes after that attempt, Lobi almost scored as miscommunication from the Insurance back line saw Super Eagles goalie, Amas Obasogie make a light touch on Tiza Samuel’s shot deflecting it into a corner.
Chimezie Metu made his debut for Insurance, Paul Obata, Tamara Ezekiel and the Super Sub Junior Osaghae was introduced in the second half.
The 66th minute saw Insurance have a cross from Tamara cross the goal line but the centre referee and assistant referee thought otherwise as they were unable to get a clear view with the ball quickly cleared by Lobi’s resolute defence.
Both sides kept yearning for a goal as both Insurance and Lobi attacked each other until the dying embers of the game but, it was the Benin Arsenal who netted after deploying all of their armoury.
Tamara found Obata on the left who with a low cross connected with Osaghae on the far right, netting the winner for Bendel Insurance and sending the stadium into wild jubilations.
This is Bendel Insurance first win in their last five matches.