NPFL MD21: Bendel Insurance FC, Enyimba FC Share The Spoils In Benin

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By Sportsgister

It was a big battle of two giants without any major casualties in the Match Day 21 of the Nigeria Premier Football League in Benin as league defending champions Enyimba FC managed to escape defeat in the last minute crossfire in the hands of Federation Cup holders Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin.

As expected, the delayed kick off at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium saw both sides match each other’s strength for strength;skills for skill till it ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

The People’s Elephant who came to Benin with confidence from their home and away victories over Shooting Stars,tried to unsettle the Benin Arsenals in the first ten minutes of the game with possession being coordinated by Chijioke Ubaoma, Joseph Atule and Chibuike, taking advantage in the midfield but met the resistance of Sunday Anyanwu, Joel Djong and Ebuka Akonbundu in the defence area of the Benin Arsenal

The Federation Cup defending champions quickly adjusted well and took the battle to the gate of the visitors afterwards and mounted attacking pressures on the People’s Elephant with Chisom Okereke, Chukwudi Meze and Divine Nwachuku going close to getting the breakthrough before halftime which Pascal Eze and Desmond Ojietefan of the People’s Elephant also prevented.

As Insurance continued their search for a goal in the second half, Coach Monday Odigie made the first change, substituting Paul Obata for Evans Ogbonda and later introduced Austin Ogunye, Kelly Oahimijie

and Raymond Ikhenoba for Chisom Okereke, Stephen Sodje and Divine Nwachukwu in the 83rd minute.

Substitute Evans Ogbonda’s beautifully taken freekick from about 22 yards in the 88 minute would have made the difference but Ojo Olorunleke’s intelligence in Enyimba’s goal post ensued that the giants shared the spoils.

Recall that Insurance succumbed to Enyimba 2-1 in the first round fixture on November 22nd 2023 in Aba.

Bendel Insurance will be on a long journey for a double away fixtures next week with the next game in Ibadan on Thursday against Arch rivals Shooting Stars before traveling to Jos to face Plateau Utd on Sunday.

In the Post match interview, coaches of the two teams Monday Odigie and George Finidi expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating of the game and called for improved game management by the referees to encourage the players and free flow of football games.

Enyimba gaffer George Finidi was however happy with the result, noting that Insurance, Enyimba encounters have always been difficult. He added that referees are human beings and are bound to make mistakes. ” You could see that I was complaining as Coach Monday was also doing the same thing in his own end, so, football is sometime very difficult. Coach Monday wanted to win while we also wanted to win or at least get something out of it.”