Despite boasting of putting an end to the 12 weeks unbeaten runs of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, Plateau United could not make well their words, as the Benin Arsenal forced them to a one-all draw at the Jos Stadium on Sunday.
Deputy Echeta, like he did at El-Kanemi Warriors ground, rose to the occasion again to salvage the situation for Insurance FC on the day their goal machine Imade Osarenkhoe could not find the rhythm to score. Echeta headed home a fine cross from Austin Ogunye arising from a goal-mouth scramble to equalize for the Group A leaders in the 73rd minute of the game played at the New Jos Stadium.
Izuchukwu Chimezie had put the host’s Plateau Utd in front in the 43rd minute of play to give Fidelis Ilechukwu the Hope of breaking the jinx of bringing Insurance’s unbeaten run to a halt until the 73rd minute when Echeta delivered the deadly blow to deny them of maximum points before their great home fans.
Chimezie took advantage of the defensive error by Bendel Insurance defender Ebuka Akobundu whose poor communication with their intelligent goalkeeper Amas Obasogie gifted Plateau Utd the opener shortly before the halftime break whistle.
Despite the equalizer, Insurance FC continued to show their hunger for success as Deputy Echeta, Divine Nwachukwu, Imade Osarenkhoe and Austin Ogunye imposed themselves on their hosts with more great goal attempts which Plateau defense battled until the end of the game.
The Benin Arsenals remained the only team that has not tasted defeat in the current season and still lead group A with 26 points.
Insurance FC will be playing host to Kwara Utd in the week 13 revised fixture at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin next weekend.
In a post-match interview, Insurance FC manager Monday Odigie who was visibly pleased with the result in Jos said he was not under any pressure to win the league but to build a solid and disciplined team that can fight for good results whether at home or away.
On why his side seemed to have shown Plateau respect in the first half of their play, he affirmed that they needed to be courteously playing against the former league champions Plateau Utd who also played at the continental level last season.
” We just returned from the lower league and need to respect the big teams but fight for everything to win.”
