Bendel Insurance jinx of inconsistency and goal drought in the current Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) season were on Saturday evening broken at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin as they defeated Kano Pillars 3-2 to move a step out of the deep.
The Benin Arsenals returned to winning ways with a remarkable 3-2 comeback
victory over the Sai Masu Gida side with goals from Kayode Oke, Emmanuel Dung and Akpan Emmanuel who handed
Kennedy Boboye his first maximum points since joining Insurance over a month ago after four engagements.
Kayode Oke opened scoring for Insurance in the 17th minute, but veteran midfielder, Rabiu Ali, got an equalizer for the visitors from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.
Four minutes later, Chiedozie Okorie gave Pillars the lead before halftime of the Match Day 13 encounter under the rain.
Insurance returned for the second half with double substitution and mounted much pressure on the visitors and got rewarded for their efforts with a spirited comeback when Emmanuel Dung powered an equalising goal for Insurance in the 77th minute with a rocket strike from the edge of the box to send the already agitated home fans into wild jubilation.
As time drifted away from the regulation mark, Emmanuel Akpan sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike in the 88 minute.
It was Insurance’s second victory and first for Coach Kennedy Boboye in the current football season. The Benin Arsenals now move up to 17th on the table with 12 points.
Speaking during the post match media conference Coach Kennedy Boboye said that he was relieved to have his first maximum points as Bendel Insurance manager after five matches – one loss, one win and three draws so far. He said that he remains focused and determined to get out of the red zone.
”I am relieved and happy we got the victory we have been looking for and I must give it to my players, fans and the supporters club who are always there for us irrespective of the results we posted.
I dedicate the victory to them,” he said.
“I congratulation my boys, particularly, the very young ones we gave opportunity to showcase their talents. I keep telling them there is no sentiment. If you do well during training you get the jersey to play. Iam very happy with the goal Emmanuel Dung scored.
“I brought our graduate from the feeders team, Dominion Osaghae, into the lineup because he has shown some strong character during training. He is the youngest in Bendel Insurance FC. It was unfortunate that the game was tense, I would have given him the chance to play. I am confident he will get the opportunity again, same with Efe Ubiomo and Enabulele the captain,” Boboye promised.
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