NPFL24: Wasteful, but Tanimu’s spot kick secures maximum points for Insurance

A spot kick in the fourth minute expertly converted by Tanimu Benjamin, secured all three points for wasteful Bendel Insurance under the rain and the sun at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in matchday 13 of the Nigeria Premier Football League, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.

Bendel Insurance began attacking early in the game and the centre referee spotted a handball offence by a Sunshine Stars defender within the 18-yard-box.

Centre back Benjamin stepped up to the spot and scored from a powerful shot to beat Sunshine Stars goalie, Abdullateef Ishola.

Tamara Ezekiel in the 21st minute made a brilliant slide tackle to stop Opeoluwa Olufemi for Sunshine Stars who was on a counter. This resulted in the creative midfielder sustaining an injury as he was eventually carted away in the 23rd minute. Stephens Sodje was introduced to replace Ezekiel.

Insurance had many chances to increase the lead but their wasteful attackers saw the Benin Arsenal unable to net the second. Chukwudi Meze and Evans Ogbonda came in the 57th minute to replace Kelly Kester and Chisom Okereke.

The 74th minute saw a golden opportunity for Bendel Insurance to score as Chukwudi set up Sarki Ismael who shot directly at goalkeeper Abdullateef. The rebound was poorly taken by substitute Chukwudi as his shot was way off target.

By the end of the game, it ended 1-0 in favour of the home team.

Bendel Insurance will next play against Katsina United on matchday 14 of the NPFL. The Benin Arsenal sits fifth on the log with 20 points.