Bendel Insurance of Benin battled Barau FC of Kano to a 1-1 draw on Sunday in a Match Day 3 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Insurance struck first in the 9th minute through Alex Oweiyelefa, who converted from close range. Barau FC levelled just before half-time when Ibrahim Yahaya dribbled past two defenders and fired beyond the goalkeeper to restore parity.
The result leaves Barau with two points from their opening three matches of the campaign.
Speaking after the game, Barau FC Head Coach, Ladan Bosso, praised his team’s resilience but lamented their wastefulness in front of goal.
“We dominated most parts of the game, but poor finishing cost us maximum points. Going forward, we must work on converting our chances,” Bosso said.
He added that most NPFL clubs were still searching for reliable strikers, noting that Barau would continue to sharpen their attack with available players. “This is not the result we planned for, but hope is not lost. Some of our players joined late, and we are still trying to blend them into the squad. With time, we will get better,” he said.
Bendel Insurance Coach, Greg Ikhenoba, on his part, lauded his players for their composure and discipline in securing an away point.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match in Kano, but the boys kept their focus. Getting a point here is encouraging and we will build on it,” Ikhenoba said.
