By Kehinde Osagiede
It was a good start for Bendel Insurance FC of Benin, weekend, as they came from behind to beat Joy Cometh of Lagos 2-1 in the week two game of the Nigeria National League.
Forward, Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi came from the bench to deliver for the Benin Arsenal technical managers who were visibly worried already as he fired a long-range from outside the box to crown his solo effort and restored parity in the 68 minutes of play. He tapped in the winning goal in the 89th minute after being gifted with goal mouth scramble loose ball.
The Visitors had taken the lead through Jerry Olowu shortly before the end of the first half to put pressure on Benard Ogbe led Insurance.
The Lagosians who looked bonded and athletic in their style of play came into the game with confidence having flogged Gateway Utd FC 3-0 in their first game of the season,last week in Lagos.
The Benin Arsenal will begin their preparation for their second game which is against Crown FC of Ogbomosho while Joy Cometh will be on standby.
Speaking after the game, the match-winner for Insurance, Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi said he was full of joy to have come from the bench to help his side secure the important three points, adding that his duty is to continue to score for Insurance.
Also speaking during the post-match interview, Insurance chief coach Benard Ogbe who commended his boys’ show of strength however admitted that the visitors put his team on their toes.
He rues his players’ inability to convert scoring chances on time which later resulted in the pressure on them
” We actually played well and I am happy that we eventually won but we learned a lot of lessons in this game. The game didn’t go according to our plan and it was because we played against a resilient and highly determined side.
On the other hand, the Head coach of Joy Cometh Alabi Kazeem said his mission was to get three points in Benin but that did not happen.
” That is the way the game of football is. Sometimes you win and also lose some. We lost to Insurance but my players did their best. You can see that we are a very young team. These are grassroots players that have never played in any major league before. So,they have not disappointed me.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Edo state and host Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu has commended both teams, particularly his side Bendel Insurance for their victory.
While congratulating the Benin arsenal, the sports-loving deputy said that it was important Insurance picked the three points but advised the team to do more work on how to convert their chances.
” Insurance worked very hard in this game to change the narratives of the game but could not convert their chances enough. If our boys were about to convert their chances on time, they would have scored up to four or six goals in the match because they created a lot of chances. But thank God we still won. ” He said.
