2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 24: Bendel Insurance FC wallops Niger Tornadoes 3-0

Posted : 17 February 2025

Bendel Insurance FC of Benin defeated Niger Tornadoes 3-0 in the Matchday 24 fixture of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Julius Emiloju once again found his name on the NPFL score sheet, opening the scoring for Bendel Insurance in the 5th minute of the game.

The left-back, in a similar fashion to his goal against Katsina Utd, was well positioned to slot in Stanley Okorom's cross from the right flank.

The visitors, however, put up strong resistance against Bendel Insurance's attacks, with the Benin Arsenals wasting several scoring chances.

As the first half was coming to a close, the Tornadoes were reduced to 10 men as their goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo, was sent off with a straight red card following a hard tackle on Nnamdi Anthony and for handling the ball outside the box.

The second half saw Bendel Insurance's top strikers, Uche Collins and Kayode Oke, extend the lead as expected.

Uche Collins scored with a close-range finish in the 55th minute. Kayode Oke had a clearer chance in the 76th minute and wasted no time in converting it into a goal that sealed the emphatic victory for Insurance.

The result meant the Benin Arsenals had taken four points off Niger Tornadoes this season, unlike last season when the visitors handed Insurance their first home defeat since their return to the Premier League three seasons ago. It was indeed payback time as both sides ended their first-round meeting in Minna, Niger State.

The maximum points against Tornadoes served as a boost for the Benin Arsenals to consolidate the three points they regained from the league management body following their appeal victory on Wednesday.

In a post-match interview, the head coach of Bendel Insurance, Greg Ikhenoba, said he was happy his side secured the maximum points against the team that caused him serious embarrassment last season.

"I give glory to God and thank the boys for the convincing victory. We created a lot of chances, good enough to achieve a higher goal margin, but we could not finish them well."

He, however, admitted that his team still has a lot of work to do going forward.

Bendel Insurance, now comfortably sitting in 10th position on the log with 34 points after 24 games, will travel to Maiduguri, Borno State, to face Elkanemi Warriors in the Matchday 25 fixtures on Wednesday.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 24: Bendel Insurance FC wallops Niger Tornadoes 3-0

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