Bendel Insurance survived a first half scare by Heartland of Owerri in their Nigeria Premier Football League clash Saturday, to collect all three points with a headed goal by Sarki Ismael.
And fans of the home team who have been on the edge of their seats at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City heaved a sigh of relief as their team broke the deadlock in the 81st minute.
All through the first of the game, Heartland dominated proceedings, but they wasted a couple of scoring chances. Austin Osayande shot over the bar from inside the box in the opening minutes.
Heartland missed another scoring opportunity in the 35th minute as Osayande’s misdirected low shot glided inches off the upright. But in the second half Bendel Insurance came out like possessed bees and swarmed on Heartland and they had no clue on how to stop the waves of Bendel Insurance attacks. Heartland keeper, Darlington Ovunda dived low to keep out a freekick.
Moments later Sarki worked his way into the Heartland box, but Chisom Okereke miss kicked his looping cross. Okereke fluffed another chance with Ovunda displaced, he was pulled out by coach Monday Odigie.
The pressure finally paid off for Bendel Insurance when Sarki headed into bottom corner from a freekick by Sunday Anyanwu.
“Motivational talk by coach Odigie fired us up and we have to come out strong,” said Anyanwu who was voted man of the match.
“Of course you know Heartland beat us in the first tie, so we have to come out hard on them and I’m glad it paid off.”
Heartland coach Christian Obi said he was stunned by Bendel Insurance fight back and his player’s sudden capitulation.
“We know Insurance’s strategy and we worked well to contain them.
“But I don’t know what happened to my team in the second half, it was baffling how we were muzzled.
