Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin maintained their unbeaten run in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after a 1-0 victory over Enyimba International FC of Aba in their final game of the first-round campaign.
The Group A leaders secured all three points at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in a Match Day 9 fixture thanks to Imade Isarenkhoe’s 23rd-minute strike.
Enyimba were hoping to reduce the hosts’ four-point lead, but they couldn’t find a way past the solid Bendel Insurance defense. The visitors gave their best effort in the game, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a defeat. The result sees Bendel Insurance finish the first-round campaign with 20 points, while Enyimba remains on 16 points.
Imade Osarenkhoe scored in the 23rd minute – his 6th of the campaign – to send Bendel Insurance FC 7 points clear at the top of Group A.
A good way to keep the table as we go for the General Election break#BENENY#NPFL23
Adaaaaaaaa BENDEL! pic.twitter.com/p63iG1ujlX
— Bendel Insurance FC Official (@BendelInsurance) February 19, 2023
ALSO READ: Fans intensify calls for Chelsea to sack Graham Potter over atrocious form
In the second half of the match, Bendel Insurance pushed for more goals to strengthen their lead, but Enyimba’s defense proved too tough to break down. In a post-match interview, Enyimba’s Head Coach, Finidi George, admitted that his team played well but were unfortunate to lose the game.
What a great performance from the team! Another goal today thank you lord.GOD IS THE GREATEST @BendelInsurance @victorosimhen9 @ELEGBETE1SPORTS pic.twitter.com/lSEy7sSWEQ
— IMADE (BLACKBULLET) (@Imade_Osarenkho) February 19, 2023
He rated Bendel Insurance highly, despite the team’s recent promotion to the Nigerian top flight.
ALSO READ: ‘Time to recover’, Thankful Azpilicueta speaks after horror head injury
“It was a good game, and both teams played well. We gave our all, but it was unfortunate that we conceded that goal in the first half and that ended the game 1-0. It is a lesson for us, but I think overall, our players did so well, and I am proud of them,” George said.
“They are doing so well. We know what they are capable of. They are a young team. They fight for every ball, and that is their motto. I must commend them, a team coming from the lower league and doing well. We have to commend them,” he added.
The victory keeps Bendel Insurance at the top of the Group A table, with a healthy four-point lead over second-placed Rivers United FC. Enyimba, on the other hand, remains in fourth place, six points behind the leaders. Both teams will now have a brief break before starting their preparations for the second stanza of the league.
