Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin on Tuesday afternoon started the 2022 NPFL-Dozzy Mmuobusa Foundation Preseason Super Cup Tournament with a 3-0 defeat to their old foes Shooting Stars Sports Club(3SC)of Ibadan at the Remo Stars Stadium,Ikenne.
The curtain raiser game of the Dozzy Mmuobusa Foundation sponsored preseason tournament kicked off at 3 pm at the beautiful Remo stadium with both sides being courteous,playing with confidence. Anthony Okachi broke the deadlock for 3SC with a low drive into the left corner of Insurance net in the 24th minute of play after a fine build-up from the midfield had left the Insurance’s goalkeeper helpless.
The first half ended 1-0 despite Insurance dangerous incursions within the Shooting Stars area.
Bendel Insurance looked sharp and dangerous in the first 15 minutes of the game with Imade Osarenkhoe and Zaidu Ayuba getting close to scoring on three occasions.
On resumption of the second half, coach Monday Odigie made four changes in the bid to beef up his Insurance attack but the substitutions could only add little to the game as they both dragged the game towards closing in 1-0 before a terrible defensive error from Insurance cost them the second goal after Malomo Taofeek volleyed in a loose ball from a free-kick in the 88th minute of the game.
Just as the referee was about to signal the final whistle after 90 minutes,Samuel Ayorinde made it three in the 93rd minute from another defensive blunder in the box
The reigning NNL Champions will be hosted by Enyimba International in the Day Two match of the tournament on Wednesday morning. Time is 8:30 at the same Remo International stadium.
Meanwhile, Insurance next opponents Enyimba FC defeated their oriental brothers Rangers International of Enugu 1-0 in the second match of the day. Insurance FC need to beat Enyimba to remain in contention for the N100M mega prize.
