NNL: Tanimu Shines As Bendel Insurance Beats Ekiti United
Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin beat Ekiti United 2-1 in week six of the 2021/2022 Nigeria National League (NNL) season played under floodlights at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin, Edo State.
The encounter was full of exciting moments as the hosts launched aggressive attacks against the visitors, with Ifeanyi Iheme, Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi and Sarki Ismael leading the attack. However, Benin Arsenal (Bendel) central defender Benjamin Tanimu was the hero as his double sealed victory for the Insurers.
Taminu confidently converted two spot kicks to secure the maximum points for Insurance. His first goal came in the 25th minute after he was brought down in the 18 yard box. He neatly tucked away the penalty to give his side the lead.
However, the visitors were awarded a free kick at the edge of the box in the 47th minute, and Promise George stepped up. He calmly placed the ball into the net beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kolawole Oladipo, equalising before the half time whistle.
In the second half, Tanimu converted another spot kick in the 68th minute following a hand ball committed by an Ekiti defender inside the box. The double was enough to restore Insurance confidence against the hard fighting Ekiti Utd.
“Penalties are part of the game, if you commit fouls in your 18 yard box of course they are penalties and the referee cannot hesitate even if it happens seven times,” Assistant Coach of Bendel Insurance Greg Ikhenoba said after the match.
“There is nothing wrong in given up to six penalties in a game if the situation warrants. We always tell our boys, you have to commit the defenders so that you can get your fouls, it is part of the game.”
Meanwhile, Bendel Insurance players continued in their season’s tradition of giving out their match day jerseys to their fans.
Bendel Insurance now have 11 points from 6 games to seat 2nd on the NNL Group B1 table, a point behind Gateway FC who lead the group with 12 points.
Bendel Insurance will face Osun United in the match day seven fixture next weekend.
Chidi Nwoke/Bendel Insurance FC.
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