NPFL 25: Bendel Insurance FC brightly begins second round

Bendel Insurance Football Club, Thursday, 30 January began the second round of the 2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on a brilliant note.

The Benin Arsenals in a match day 21 game; forced the former league champions, Rivers United to a 2-2 draw at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, PortHarcourt, according to the media officer of the team, Khinde Osagiede.

Osagiede reports; that the visitors showed class and determination from the game kick-off to the end, as the captain, Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi shocked the hosts with a brilliant strike in the 6th minute of the game.

Meyinwa was well positioned to receive Michael Enaruna’s intercepted cross from a Rivers Utd defender at the left flank of the field; when he cleverly slapped the ball against the roof of the post to give Insurance a deserved early lead.

The coach Greg Ikhenoba managed Bendel Insurance, displayed confidence and determination as they continued to absorb pressure from the home team, he said.

But at the 34th minute of play, former Akwa Utd captain, Friday Obong forced them to bow when he fired a shot from about 25 yards that breezed past young Insurance goalkeeper, Joshua Baba to level up for the home team.

It was one goal apiece at half time; in the breathtaking first half of the encounter.

On resumption of the second half, Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi, Nnamdi Anthony and Kayode continued to pile pressure on the host and just before they could settle down; Julius Emiloju’s brilliant cross from the left flank of the field found Uche Collins who did not waste time to knock the ball into the net, to restore the lead  for Insurance FC in the 49th minute of play.

In a quick response, Handsome Surveyor was indeed Rivers United’s saviour when he took advantage of a poorly cleared ball resulting from a corner kick in the Insurance area.

He calmly tapped it in to secure a hard earned 2-2 draw for the Pride of Rivers in the 51st minute of the game.

However, the Benin Arsenals were unlucky to grab their second away victory against Rivers Utd at the dot of time; after the full 90 minutes of play.

Oke Kayode’s late goal from the beautiful combination of passes between the newly acquired Vincent Akpikpi and Austin Ogunye was ruled offside by the referee.

With the outcome of the game,  Bendel Insurance FC; darling of the Benin fans currently sits on the 17th position in the NPFL table.

Though having

 an outstanding game; (Match Day 20) with the Enyimba FC; the team will be at home against the Katsina Utd on the match day 22 fixture, Monday, February 3, 2025 in Benin.

For all your advertorials, news, events coverage, media and publicity, contact email; kingsleyabavo@yahoo.com, 07031357914

Our charges are modest and pocket friendly!