Bendel Insurance FC of Benin on Friday recorded a 2-0 win over visiting Gombe United FC in the match day 24 of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Sarki Ismael gave the host an early lead in the seventh minute to draw cheers from the home crowd in a thrilling match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
The early lead breathed a new life into Insurance NPFL campaign against the struggling United.
The home side who came out firing on all cylinders after a string of disappointing results were also determined to turn their fortunes around.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, Insurance continued to pile on the pressure, probing for openings and exploiting.
Their persistence paid off once again in the 30th minute, as Ismael bagged a brace to extend his team’s lead.
The stadium erupted in jubilation as the home fans celebrated the commanding 2-0 advantage – a stark departure from the disappointments of their recent matches.
As the match progressed, Gombe United fought hard to score, but the resoluteness of Bendel Insurance’s defense would not allow.
Ismael came close to a hat trick in the 34th minute when he fired another shot which narrowly missed the target.
Gombe United are battling against the threat of relegation in their 2023/2024 NPFL campaign.
In a post-match interview, Greg Ikhinoba, Assistant Coach of the Bendel Insurance, said his team would be lifted by the victory.
“I don’t think we were not trying our best before, but it’s unfortunate, it went that way. But with this victory, the spirits of the boys will be lifted and their confidence restored,” he said.
Ikhinoba said the team would build on the performance in subsequent matches. (NAN)
