By AKEEM ABAS

Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin on Sunday forced hosts Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan to a 2-2 draw in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 3SC however had to rely on a dramatic comeback to earn the draw in this Group A Match Day 7 fixture.

It was a great match for the visitors who went ahead with two goals after 36 minutes into the game.

Osarenkhoe Imade scored in less than a minute into the game, while Ismaeel Sarki in the 36th minute of the game.

The Oluyole Warriors fought back with a 42nd minute goal through Taofeek Malomo to reduce the tally.

Ifeoluwa Opeoluwa’s 64th minute goal then drew them level to save 3SC from recording a home loss.

NAN reports that the tension-soaked match was not without some officiating errors which spectators and football-loving fans complained against bitterly.

Gbenga Ogunbote, the coach of 3SC, said the result of the game was unfortunate in spite of their efforts and strategy to win the game.

“We wanted to win the game. We strategised to get a positive result. Unfortunately it wasn’t good enough to be called a positive result,” he said.

Ogunbote added that they would however continue to review their games and improve where necessary.

He said that the team would give their best in the next away game against Enyimba International FC of Aba.

The coach said he was hopeful that with the right attitude they would come back with a positive result.

Monday Odigie, the coach of Bendel Insurance, on his part thanked God that his players were able to up their game to resist the forays of the 3SC players.

He said that any team playing against 3SC should be ready to be stretched to the limits, because the team has experienced players.

“We are trying to play every game one after the other and trying to give our best.

“These teams have been in NPFL before now and they are household names. We are very cautious when we play against them.

“But I thank God for this result. We will just try to correct our mistakes after every match defensively, offensively and generally,” the coach said.

Odigie said the two goals scored by 3SC as they rallied back were due to a loss of concentration by his players.

He said that the players were a little careless in terms of tackles, adding that that was why they lost concentration.

“Football is a game of mistakes and chances. We just have to do the best we can to justify our being in the NPFL,” the coach said. (NAN)

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