2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 18: Annor delivers, as Bendel Insurance pip Lobi Stars in Benin

Posted : 22 December 2024

Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin City has defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 to temporarily move out of the red zone in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

It was a hard-earned victory for the Benin Arsenals as their midfielder, Isaac Annor, scored the only goal of the match in the 83rd minute at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The first half of Match Day 18 ended in a goalless draw, with the visitors from Makurdi making things difficult for the hosts, who were in dire need of maximum points.

The head coach of Bendel Insurance, Greg Ikhenoba, who was visibly uncomfortable with the situation, quickly made some changes. He brought in Moses Ajiboye and Oronsaye James for Uche Collins and Michael Enaruna in the 60th minute, which swiftly raised the tempo of the game. Insurance gained better possession and control after the substitutions.

Their efforts paid off when Nnamdi Anthony flicked Julius Emiloju's pullout to the well-positioned Isaac Annor, who wasted no time in blasting a classy shot to silence the roaring Lobi side.

The Benin Arsenals entered the Match Day 18 game with confidence, having returned from a double away trip with a point from Akwa Utd and Heartland FC of Owerri in Match Days 16 and 17, respectively.

Insurance now has 20 points and has moved up to 16th place on the log.

Speaking during the post-match interview, Bendel Insurance’s head coach, Greg Ikhenoba, said that his team will now shift their focus to preparing for Enyimba in Aba on December 29. He attributed the results of the last three games to God.

Coach Ikhenoba, however, expressed confidence that his team would fully recover in the second round of the league.

"I give God the glory in all that I do, and I thank Him for the victory. It was very important for us to get the three points, and I am happy that the boys delivered.

"We expected a difficult game because I know Lobi players are physical. I have watched them before. That’s why I made a double substitution to bring in Oronsaye and Ajiboye, and thank God that our tactical switch worked."

Lobi Stars’ head coach, Mikel Armstrong, on the other hand, said they tried something different from what they have done in away games, which worked for his side in the first half. However, he expressed his disappointment that his boys were overpowered by Insurance in the second half.

Meanwhile, the victorious Bendel Insurance players have dedicated their hard-earned 1-0 victory over Lobi Stars to the newly inaugurated chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Desmond Amadin Enabulele.

The captain of Bendel Insurance, Efe Enabulele, made the announcement after the game while celebrating at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

He said that the visit of the youthful and sports-loving chairman to see the team during their training, along with the monetized gift he gave them on Thursday, served as motivation.

"We dedicate the victory to our new chairman. He deserves it. He is a lucky man too.

"The game was more difficult than we expected. During our chairman's visit, he appealed to us to welcome him to the Edo State Sports Commission with a victory, and the victory is already at hand. So, we have given it to him. Congratulations to our chairman," Efe said.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 18: Annor delivers, as Bendel Insurance pip Lobi Stars in Benin

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