Match Report: Benin Arsenal guns down Shooting Stars
BENIN (Made In Africa Sport) – It was a thrilling showdown at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the Benin Arsenal who emerged victorious, claiming all three points against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).
Bendel Insurance wasted no time taking the lead early in the first half, thanks to an own goal headed in by Gali Falke in the eighth minute. Falke unintentionally directed a cross from Stanley Okorom into the net, giving the home team an early advantage.
Bendel Insurance 2-0 Shooting Stars
An own goal by Gali Falke and a skillfully curled shot from outside the box by Evans Ogbonda propel was enough for the Benin Arsenal.
This marks Insurance's first league win over the Oluyole Warriors since March 2005. 🙌⚽#NPFLWithMIAS pic.twitter.com/v6Umy50BXI
— Made In Africa Sport (@madeinafricaweb) October 7, 2023
The second half of the match witnessed the entry of Super Sub Evans Ogbonda, who threw the entire stadium into celebration mood with a stunning goal in the 78th minute. His debut goal in his debut home appearance, featured a curling shot from outside the box, finding the top left corner of the net, leaving the 3SC technical area in disbelief.
2 – Only Sunshine Stars (3) have scored more own goals in the NPFL than Shooting Stars (2) since the start of last season. Escobar.#NPFLWithMIAS #NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/UVzs5iQa2Y
— Made In Africa Sport (@madeinafricaweb) October 7, 2023
However, after the game, Bendel Insurance’s coach, Monday Odigie, expressed his dissatisfaction with the result, stating, “I am not excited.” He emphasized the importance of performance over results and called for gradual improvement in the game.
Odigie stressed, “The league has just kicked off. Result is very important but not as important as performance. If performance is consistent and gradually improves the game, then you can start to see attacking prowess. I want to see Nigeria football thrive with what we have in the league.”
Despite the tough challenge posed by key player departures, Odigie remains focused on the long term, aiming to address the team’s shortcomings. He stated, “I want to take the positives and work on the lapses. I want to see what we can do before the next game.”
In their next outing, Bendel Insurance will face Plateau United in matchday 3 in Benin.
