As the second round of the Nigeria National League (NNL) kicked off nationwide, Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin defeated Adoration Football Club of Enugu 3-1 to lead Group B1.
Defensive midfielder Sodje Stephens opened scoring for the host eight minutes into the game,while team captain Maurice Prince and Sarki Ismael made it 3-0 within 19 minutes to keep the home fans at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in jubilant mood till the end of the half.
On resumption of the second half, the Benin Arsenal who suffered a 1-0 loss in the hands of Adoration FC at the UNEC Stadium,Enugu in their first round last game, shut down the fire and looked comfortable with the first half goal rush, and paid for it in the 59th minute of the game as Okenwa Ogadimma pulled one back for the visitors with a long range strike which Insurance goalkeeper Kolawole Oladipo could not stop.
The Benin Arsenal Technical Crew in anticipation of improved attacking football, substituted Stephen Adodo and Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi and brought in Ayebadiepreye Duokumo and Bayo Odumosun but that change was ineffective as the visitors kept coming but thanks to the Insurers defence manned by Benjamin Tanimu,Sunday Anyanwu, Dede Muoghara and Odinaka Edeh.
Insurance now top the group B1 log with 24 points,two points above Gateway Utd who will be playing host to Ekiti Utd on Sunday.
The Benin Arsenal will be on the road to Enugu again next week to face Giant Brillars FC at the UNEC Stadium in one of Match Day 13 fixtures.
