Strikers Charles Omokaro and Segun Alebiosu failed to add to their goals tally as Bendel Insurance played out a 0-0 draw against Kwara United in their first home game in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after 11 years of absence on Wednesday.
The first half was a cagey affair with chances at a premium for both sides. The best opportunity fell to Junior Osaghae, whose powerful header was cleared off the line by United centre-back Andrew Ikefe, while goalkeeper Yusuf Mohammed parried Kalu Moses’ long-range shot before the interval.
Insurance maintained their dominance in the second half, but could not find a way past the composed Mohammed.
Michael Enaruna and Junior Osaghae fired narrowly wide, while Emma Uangboje saw an effort ruled out for offside as the hosts had to settle for a point.
The result means the Benin Arsenal are unbeaten, but still without a win in their opening two matches, having drawn against Remo Stars in their opening game.
Baldwin Bazuaye’s men also moved from fifth to seventh in the league table, while United drop to second, after MFM beat AITEO Cup champions, Enugu Rangers 1-0 to go top of Group A.
Insurance leading marksman Charles Omokaro started the game and came into the match on a good run of form – with two goals in his last three competitive matches.
However, he never looked like scoring and was comfortably handled by the United defence marshalled by Ikefe.
The striker was also guilty of going to ground too easily in the box, didn’t time his run well and was replaced by Adimoramah Ezeh in the 72nd minute.
Meanwhile, Kwara Utd head coach Abubakar Bala made two changes to the 11 that started against Enyimba.
Yusuf Mohammed replaced Kenneth Okoli in goal, while Ebenezer Odeyemi join Segun Alebiosu to add spark to their frontline.
However, current league joint-top scorer with two goals, Alebiosu toiled for most of the game as United’s laboured passing left him starved of service.
INSURANCE FC 0 – 0 Kwara United FC
8 ATTEMPTS 5
2 ON TARGET 1
2 BLOCK SHOT 3
11 FOULS 20
8 CORNER 1
0 PENALTY 0
2 OFFSIDE 5
1 YELLOW 4
0 RED 0
Full Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Akpan Udoh (Unattached); Olawale Oremade (Oasis FC); Detan Ogundare (Kogi United)
DEFENDERS: Mike Zaruma (Plateau United); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba International); Igoh Ogbu (Rosenburg FC, Norway); Solomon Ogberahwe (El-Kanemi Warriors); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba International); Olasunkanmi Aliyu (Emmanuel Amuneke Academy)
MIDFIELDERS: Peter Eletu (Prince Kazeem Academy); Quadri Liameed (36 Lions); Aniekeme Okon (Akwa United); Jamil Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Afeez Aremu (IK Stat, Norway)
FORWARDS: Adamu Alhassan (Kano Pillars); Yahaya Nazifi (Sonderjyske FC, Denmark); Ibrahim Aliyu (Oasis FC); Adeshina Gata (Wikki Tourists); Ibrahim Abubakar (Plateau United); Okoh Victor (Real Sapphire FC); Maxwell Effiom (Enyimba International)
Kwara Utd Team News
Coach Bala made two changes to the eleven that started against Enyimba:
Yusuf Mohammed replaced Kenneth Okoli in goal while Ebenezer Odeyemi joins Alebiosu Segun upfront.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
OUT:
Odunaka Ezeh
Charles Omokaro
Abraham Odianosen
IN:
Emmanuel Uangboje
Adimovama Ezeh
Abraham Ovariomodiohw
KW Utd FC:
1. Odeyemi Emmanuel out for Usman Mohammed 49′
2. Samsudeen Hashim out for Kehinde Olajuyin 49′
3. Uche Onwuasonaya out for Issa Magaji 82’
