Bendel Insurance FC beat Warri Wolves 2-1 in season opener
The Benin Arsenals came from behind to beat Warri Wolves 2-1 and begin the 2026/27 NPFL campaign with all three points at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Bendel Insurance Football Club began the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign on a positive note as they defeated Warri Wolves 2-1.
The Benin Arsenals came from behind with goals from Kayode Oke and Alex Oweileyefa to secure the three maximum points in the South-South derby against Warri Wolves at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
The visiting Deltans took the lead in the 3rd minute of the game through Towo Eventus before Kayode Oke converted a penalty kick to get the equalizer for Bendel Insurance FC.
The battle raged on after the equalizer as the host team came all out in search of more goals, but the visitors were lucky not to concede more before halftime as Insurance danger men Alex Oweileyefa and Kayode Oke missed several scoring chances.
On return from the halftime break, Insurance's coaching crew effected a quick tactical switch, introducing Shimagande Terdoo in place of Shamsudeen Usman to add bite to the attack. The changes paid off immediately as Chinedu Nwosu braced through the middle with a through pass from Stanley Okorom and fired a long-range shot on target which fell off the grasping hands of goalkeeper Bamidele before Alex Oweileyefa finished the task to make it 2-1 in the 47th minute.
The Benin Arsenals maintained the lead to the end of the game with more goal attempts, but the visitors' defence were alive to their responsibility.
Bendel Insurance FC will be making a trip to Lafia to face Nasarawa United in their second league match of the season.
In a post-match interview, Insurance assistant coach Jolomi Atune, who stood in for technical manager Kennedy Boboye, praised the team for their efforts, particularly their ability to respond quickly to the early goal they conceded.
He said the team is still a work in progress, noting that it will take some time for the new players in the team to blend well with the old.
Coach Jolomi assured Bendel Insurance fans to expect free-flowing and beautiful football this season, maintaining that the depth and quality of players in the team will help them achieve greater success this season.
"I am happy we got the important three points. First game is usually difficult. Our team will get better as the league progresses. I know we will not disappoint our people. When Warri Wolves scored very early, I remained positive because I knew we were going to come back to beat them. I believe in the boys we have. Our fans and supporters should be patient with us. We need their support to succeed."
On the other hand, coach Hassan Abdullah admitted that he noticed a technical imbalance in his team despite getting the early goal. He expressed the hope that they will get better, adding that Insurance FC won the game because they were better.
Coach Abdullah, however, stated that his team can never be intimidated by any big name in Nigeria, adding that he has a philosophy of approaching each game with a different strategy but with midfield possession and great passes.
Bendel Insurance enjoyed the return of their supporters and fans, who came out in their numbers to cheer them on after serving a three-match stadium sanction.
