NPFL Matchday 30: Bendel Insurance edge Kun Khalifat in Benin City
Bendel Insurance returned to winning ways on Saturday with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Kun Khalifat FC in a Matchday 30 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The Benin Arsenals made a dream start to the encounter as Akpan Emmanuel opened the scoring in the 4th minute. His long-range strike caught Kun Khalifat goalkeeper Chijioke Ejiogu off guard, giving the hosts an early advantage.
Buoyed by the early breakthrough, Bendel Insurance continued to control the tempo of the game despite the visitors’ physical approach.
Their persistence paid off just before halftime when Kayode Oke doubled the lead in the 41st minute. Emmanuel Dung’s brilliant solo run unsettled the Kun Khalifat defense before he delivered a perfectly weighted pass for Oke, who calmly finished to make it 2–0 and send the home supporters into celebration.
Kun Khalifat returned from the break with renewed determination and quickly reduced the deficit. Gabriel Lekan struck in the 51st minute to make it 2–1, setting up a tense second half in Benin.
The visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Bendel Insurance maintained their composure while also threatening on the counter. Coach Kennedy Boboye made a triple substitution in the 67th minute, bringing on Efe Ubiomo, Chinedu Nwosu, and Musa Sudes for Akpan Emmanuel, Emmanuel Dung, and Udom Wisdom in a tactical move that strengthened the midfield.
Despite late pressure from the Owerri-based side, the hosts held firm to secure all three points.
The victory lifts Bendel Insurance to sixth place on the NPFL table with 44 points. Their first-round meeting with Kun Khalifat in Owerri had ended in a 1–1 draw.
Bendel Insurance will now turn their attention to Matchday 31, where they travel to face Niger Delta rivals Warri Wolves next weekend.
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