Kehinde Osagiede reporting
On Saturday, April 22,2023, Bendel Insurance FC of Benin returned to winning ways in week 15 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a 2-1 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.
The Benin Arsenals scored two goals in the second half thanks to Sarki Ismael and the extremely experienced Austin Ogunye, who altered the game’s complexion, giving both the proprietors and the hosts’ home fans something excellent to take home as a sallah gift.
Ismail Sarki gave Bendel Insurance fans Eid-el-Fitri gift with his fifth goal of the season in the 55 minutes of the game before substitute Austine Ogunye added the second four minutes later to return the Benin Arsenals to winning ways with a 2-1 win over El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri who managed to reduce the deficit via a penalty kick brilliantly taken by Mohammed in the 67 minute of play.
The Benin Arsenals went into the game on the bounce of five straight draws since the beginning of the second stanza of the season. And,no doubt they were eager from the blast of the whistle to outwit their relegation threatened visitors But all efforts to get the matter settled in the first half proved abortive as the group A table toppers could not get the finishing touches around the opponents’ goal before the sound of half time break.
With the 2-1 home win, Bendel Insurance remain top of group A with 31 points from 15 games and remains the only team with an undented record in the season.
The team will next face Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC on Wednesday in the round of 64 of the Federation Cup in Lagos before heading to Gombe to play Gombe United on matchday 16 of the season.