Bendel Insurance beats Sunshine Stars 2-1 in Ijebu-Ode

Posted : 04 November 2024

Bendel Insurance Football Club defeated Sunshine Stars of Akure 2-1 on Sunday in Match Day 10 of the Nigeria Premier Football League, recording their first away win in two seasons.

Kayode Oke broke the deadlock for the Benin Arsenals in the 17th minute, boosting his team's confidence as they sought to bounce back to winning ways after experiencing a loss away and their first home loss of the season in the last two weeks.

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Recall that Bendel Insurance suffered their first home loss of the season to Abia Warriors in the Match Day 9 encounter in Benin last weekend, following a 3-0 defeat at Ikorodu City in Lagos.

The Owena Wales fought back and equalized a minute before the end of the first half through Sodiq Ibrahim (44), but Nnamdi Anthony restored Insurance's lead with a sublime strike in the 60th minute, sealing the victory for Insurance FC.

With the victory in Ijebu-Ode, the Benin Arsenals recorded their first away win in two seasons.

The management of Bendel Insurance Football Club, led by Executive Chairman and Edo State Sports Commission Olympian Yussuf Alli, urged the players and officials of the Benin Arsenals on Wednesday to put the thoughts of their home defeat to Abia Warriors behind them and concentrate on their next match in Ijebu-Ode against Sunshine Stars.

The Edo State Sports Commission chairman emphasized that Match Day 10 against Sunshine Stars on Sunday in Ijebu-Ode was more important than the 1-0 defeat to Abia Warriors in Benin.

Yussuf Alli was speaking during a surprise visit to the team at their evening training session on Wednesday, bringing a pleasant motivation package of an undisclosed amount of money.

He told the team that although management was not happy with their below-par performance this season, they would continue to encourage them to strive for success.

In his reaction after the victory in Ijebu-Ode, Executive Chairman and Edo State Sports Commission Olympian Yussuf Alli said, "I'm happy now. I am a sportsman and know what it feels like when one fails to achieve their goals in sports competition.

"Bendel Insurance can go far. We have a good coach.

"The boys are good but need concentration and support. In midseason, we are going to fortify the team.

"I am happy the boys rose to the occasion because I told them I cannot come to the field to play; the Governor and Deputy cannot come to the field either.

"They are the soldiers to do the job, and they must have confidence in themselves and deliver. I congratulate the people of Edo; the fans and supporters."

"I am here this afternoon to encourage you to put the thoughts of the home defeat behind you and focus 100% on the next match.

"Go to Ijebu-Ode and win to fully recover from last weekend's setback.

"I must tell you the truth that we are not happy with the results we are getting. There is growing concern among stakeholders about our performance and current situation in the league.

"We have done all that is required for you to succeed, and it is not showing.

"However, we want to believe that soon we will rise above the challenges and find our rhythm and winning mentality.

"Don't feel despair but continue to work hard and avoid distractions. You guys are good; it’s just the little mistakes we are making that are affecting us, and we can correct them," Alli said.

He challenged the players and coaches to seize the opportunity of the Ijebu-Ode neutral ground against Sunshine Stars to make up for lost ground.

Bendel Insurance beats Sunshine Stars 2-1 in Ijebu-Ode

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