BENDEL Insurance secured their first win in six Nigeria Premier Football League games yesterday with a 2-1 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors in Benin City.
The Group A leaders, who are the only unbeaten team left in the league, had drawn their last five fixtures before yesterday’s victory.
Ismael Seriki and Austin Ogunye struck in the second half to hand the Benin Arsenal the three points, while Hussaini Mohammed pulled one back for the visitors.
Bendel Insurance took the lead with Seriki’s fifth goal of the abridged campaign in the 55th minute and Ogunye added the second goal four minutes later.
Mohammed converted from the penalty spot for El-Kanemi in the 69th minute to give the Maiduguri side some hope, but Insurance saw the victory out to stay on top of the Group A table.
With the win, Insurance opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the standings over second-placed Enyimba, who have a game in hand, while El-Kanemi are stuck at the bottom spot.
Meanwhile, fans who arrived at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for the encounter were rewarded as Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu gave out free Insurance jerseys to the first fifty spectators for keeping faith with the club.
Insurance are almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, where the top three teams from Group A and Group B will battle for the NPFL title.
