Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, Saturday, defeated visiting Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin 3-1 to advance their position in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The Week 13 encounter was played at the famous Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
The visitors upon the blast of the kick-off whistle detected the pace of the game with an intent to draw the curtain raiser.
However, Insurance forward, Nazir Mohammed, put the homers in front in the 18th minutes of play following a well-taken right footed shot which caught kwara Utd goalie, Nurudeen Badmus, napping.
The visitors were however, pegged back into the game following a defensive blunder by Emmanuel Ugwu in 23rd minutes.
Despite countless missed goal scoring opportunities by the attackers of the Benin Arsenal, Nazir Mohammed again put Insurance in front after a goal mouth scramble as the first half ended 2-1.
The Ilorin boys upon resumption of hostilities in the second half, took the battle to the backyard of the homers in search of equaliser
While the visitors dominated play at the centre, the homers continued to miss clear cut opportunities in front of goal.
Insurance veteran attacker, Austin Ogunye, in the 85 minutes of play dented the hope of Kwara United going to Ilorin with at least a point after a well positioned header.
Speaking to sports journalists during a post-match interview, Coach Greg Ikhenoba, Bendel Insurance Stand-in Head coach who is handling the team following the recent resignation of the Head Coach, Mondy Odigie, commended his side for the victory.
He maintained that the team is work in progress.
On his part, Kwara United gaffer, Tunde Sanni, said his team did not play to instructions.
