Bendel Insurance Football Club beat Kano Pillars 2-1 in one of the biggest fixtures of Match Day 30 in the Nigeria Premier Football League on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
Bendel Insurance had to attain victory the hard way as Kano Pillars took the lead in the 16th minute through Mustapha Ibrahim and held it till half-time raising fears about another home loss for Insurance following the 3-1 defeat to Niger Tornadoes on Match-Day 28.
In the 51st minute, Coach Monday Odigie brought on Osaghae Junior and the substitute made a huge impact as he won a penalty in the 57th minute.
Sunday Anyanwu stepped forward and confidently converted the spot kick to make scores 1-1 in the 58th minute.
Odigie made double substitutions in the 76th minute, replacing Sarki Ismael and Evans Ogbonda with Chisom Okereke and Michael Enaruna to strengthen the Bendel Insurance attack.
Okereke’s introduction paid off in the 84th minute as his accurate pass from the left flank found Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi who calmly scored what turned out to be the winning goal for Insurance.
The goal earned Oritseweyinmi the Man of the Match award which was sponsored by new Deputy Governor of Edo State, Engineer Godwins Marvellous Omobayo who was impressed by the second half performance of Bendel Insurance.
The win took Insurance to 8th on the NPFL table with 41 points from 30 matches.
Their next game is away to Lobi Stars on Match-Day 31 scheduled to hold on Sunday in Lafia.
In other matches played on Tuesday, Akwa United thrashed Niger Tornadoes 4-1 in Uyo while Bayelsa United and Katsina United played out a 1-1 draw in Yenagoa.
Enyimba International edged Heartland in Aba as Enugu Rangers beat Abia Warriors 3-2 in another Oriental Derby.
Sporting Lagos pipped Sunshine Stars 1-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena while Gombe United lost 2-1 at home to Kwara United at the Pantami Stadium.
Rivers United defeated Plateau United 3-1 in Port Harcourt while Shooting Stars Sports Club thumped Lobi Stars 2-0 in Ibadan.
Action continues on Wednesday with Doma United taking on Remo Stars at the Pantami Stadium.