Bendel Insurance FC and Kwara United FC clashed in a tension-filled match, ending in a 2-2 draw at Benin’s Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Saturday.
Sadeeq Yusuf struck early for Kwara United in the 15th minute, breaking through Insurance’s defence to secure the opener, setting the tone for an intense game.
“It was a moment of opportunity and precision,” commented Yusuf on his opening goal.
Despite Ezekiel Tamara’s near miss in the 24th minute, Insurance found their equaliser through Stephen Sodje’s powerful long-range shot just three minutes later, levelling the score.
The first half concluded with a lead for Kwara United as Godwin Oshagbemi capitalised on a defensive lapse, placing the visitors ahead at 1-2.
“Seizing that lead was crucial, and it reflected our determination,” stated Oshagbemi post-match.
Insurance intensified their efforts in the second half but struggled to convert dominance into results until Ismael Sarki’s stoppage-time header, rescuing a point for the hosts and concluding the game in a draw.
“Securing that late goal was crucial to salvaging a point; it was a team effort,” Sarki emphasized.
In a post-match interview, Coach Kabir Dogo acknowledged his team’s potential victory, expressing regret over their goalkeeper’s inexperience in the final moments that prevented a win.
“Our potential win was marred by a slight error, but earning a point away is commendable,” Dogo asserted, looking forward to building on this result in upcoming matches.
Meanwhile, Coach Monday Odigie of Bendel Insurance admitted the match unfolded as expected but attributed the conceded goals to lapses in discipline on the part of his team.
“The two goals conceded were avoidable, reflecting lapses in our discipline,” Odigie admitted, pledging to refine the team’s performance for improved outcomes in future fixtures.
