Imade Oserenkhoe was the hero for Nigeria Professional Football League newcomers Bendel Insurance as his 93rd minute goal ensured they grabbed the maximum points in a 2-1 win over Plateau United in their matchday II encounter at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Thursday.
Insurance who earned a shock 2-0 win in their opening game of the 2023 abridged NPFL season against Akwa United started brightly against the Fidelis Ilechukwu led side. Sarki Ismael put the hosts in front in the 53rd minute and while Plateau United thought they had earned a point when Mustapha Abdullahi sent Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to make the scoreline 1-1.
Forward Oserenkhoe had the final say scoring the winner for the Benin Arsenal in the 93rd minute heading the ball into the back of the net from a Julius Emiloju’s free kick to send fans into ecstatic jubilations. Plateau United have now lost nine consecutive away games in the NPFL.
With the win, Insurance join Remo Stars as the only teams with two wins from their first two league games this season while Abia Warriors and Niger Tornadoes top Group B of the abridged league with two wins from two games as well.
At the Pantami Stadium in Gombe State, forward Andy Okpe scored the only goal of the encounter in the 88th minute to hand Remo Stars their second win of the season as they pip Gombe United 1-0. The win is their first victory on the road in this campaign.
In other matchday II results, Elkanemi Warriors pip Nasarawa United 2-1 to claim their first three points of the season. Igbudu Alpha gave the Maiduguri based side the lead in the 12th minute while Dayyab Musa extended the score to 2-0 in the 61st minute. Onuche Ogbelu scored a consolation goal for Nasarawa in the 90th minute.
Shooting Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Kwara United while Niger Tornadoes triumphed over Doma United by a goal to nil as Sunshine Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by champions Rivers United in Akure.