It was a show of skills and strength at the Kwara Football Academy pitch as Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin overpowered a tactically disciplined Kwara Football Academy team on Friday evening in their fourth preseason friendly match within three days in Ilorin,the Kwara state capital.
The Benin Arsenal in their usual aggressive attacking approach struck early with a well converted penalty kick by Imade Osarenkhoe in the second minute of the game.
Highly experienced Austin Ogunye was tripped in the opponents box by KFA defender, prompting the referee to signal for a spot kick.
Insurance lanky striker Imade,again hit the Kwara Academy net after picking up Deputy’s fine pass and fired a long range shot into the net to get a brace.
The Kwara side however proved potent in attack as they made some great attempts after beating the offside trap trice but Insurance defence led by strongman Sunday Anyanwu remained indomitable throughout the half.
On resumption of the second half,the Insurance coaching crew led by Coach Monday Odigie’s Assistant coach Greg Ikhenoba made ten substitutions to give virtually all players playing time.
Substitutes Emmanuel Matthew,Divine Nwachukwu,Adodo and Taiwo Oripelaye added enough bite to the attack,putting the opponent defenders on their toes throughout the remaining half.
The show of skills and fine play by Insurance stars was a delight for the kwara fans at the Stadium.
Their efforts were rewarded with a goal in the 90th minute when their right back Odinaka Edeh struck from the rear to beat KFA goalkeeper who looked unprepared for such a long range strike to seal a 3-0 victory for the Benin Arsenal.
Meanwhile,Insurance FC have suspended their preseason training tour of the southwest in order to prepare for the Nigeria National League 2022 season ending Super 4 tournament.
The NNL on Thursday announced the rescheduling of the super four tournament to begin on Tuesday,November 15 in Yenagoa,Bayelsa state capital and to run through November 19. The super four tournament have been postponed twice following the devastating flooding that wrecked havoc on the host state Bayelsa.
Insurance FC finished best in group B1 of the southern conference regular season with 49 points to secure NPFLticket ahead of Gateway Utd.
Others qualified for the super 4 tournament include Doma FC,Elkanelmi Warriors and hosts Bayelsa Utd.
