Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, Edo State was forced to a 1-1 draw by Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan in the Match Day 17 of the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) played on Monday evening.
The first half of the match, played at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin had ended goalless with Insurance FC missing clear chances to be in front before halftime break.
The Benin Arsenals manager Monday Odigie made double substitution on return to the field for the remaining half, pulling out Deputy Echeta and Zaidu Ayuba for Babatunde Ogungbe and Saturday Meelubari in the 48th minute to add bite to his attack.
Monday Odigie tactical switch paid off in the 62nd minute of game when Sarki Ismael put Insurance FC in front with a classy header, following Efe Enabulele’s trademark curled pass from the right flank.
However, Sikiru Alimi of Shooting Stars equalized for the visitors in the 85th minute of play, following Insurance goalkeeper’s error.
Insurance FC goalie Amas Obasogie went for an aerial contest for a catch but his gloves could not get a firm grip of the ball, losing the ball to anxious Sikiru Alimi who quickly tapped in to level up for the visitors.
The stalemate however did not affect the Benin Arsenals chance of
qualifying for the league ending Super Six playoffs.
Insurance FC remained unbeaten and leaders of group A of the abridged league with 33 points after 17 games.
The Benin Arsenals are the only team that has not tasted defeat in the current football season and have continued to show their determination to finish the season well.
