The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium roared again to life on Saturday night time as Bendel Insurance coverage, beneath strain after a winless begin to the season, snatched a dramatic 1–0 victory over Niger Tornadoes within the opening fixture of NPFL Gameweek 4, the one match performed on Saturday within the league.
Substitute Emmanuel Israel was the hero, arriving deep into stoppage time to punish the guests with a crisp end that sealed Insurance coverage’s first win of the 2025/26 marketing campaign, and condemned the Ikon Allah Boys to their second defeat in 4 outings.
It was a merciless finish for Tornadoes, who had defended stoutly for a lot of the contest and appeared set to return house with some extent. However as head coach Mohammed Majin admitted afterwards, focus slipped on the worst doable second.
Majin: “We caught to our plan, however soccer is merciless”
Talking on the post-match press convention, Majin insisted his aspect gave their all, however have been undone by soccer’s harsh realities.
“I need to recognize the gamers’ effort; they did their greatest, however on the finish of the day, they succumbed. That’s soccer for you. You win some, you lose some, and till the ultimate whistle, it’s not over. In all, we caught to our recreation plan, and we recognize every part.”
The coach dismissed strategies that his gamers have been responsible of time-wasting, stressing that Tornadoes by no means play for a draw.
“So far as we’re involved, we don’t go to any match with the mindset of a draw; we go for outright profitable, and whichever we get, we take it in good religion. You’ll be able to’t time period gamers’ ache time-wasting; you aren’t within the area to know what they’re going by means of.”
However Majin admitted that his males could have switched off too early.
“It’s not over till it’s over. Perhaps that’s what the gamers thought; that we had completed the sport and the referee had not blown the whistle, and that’s how we conceded that dying aim. That’s unlucky, however we’re taking it in good religion, and we are going to go house to select up our three factors, which could be very essential for us.”
Ikhenoba: “The sky shall be our restrict”
For Insurance coverage boss Greg Ikhenoba, the late winner was a much-needed elevate after a stuttering begin to the season that noticed his aspect lose 2–0 to El-Kanemi Warriors, draw 1–1 with Capturing Stars in Benin, and accept one other 1–1 away stalemate towards new boys Barau FC.
This time, his gamers delivered when it mattered.
“A giant because of the boys, all of them performed to directions, fought a great combat, and I hope that if we proceed this manner, the sky shall be our restrict,” Ikhenoba stated with aid.
He praised the squad’s resilience and perception, noting that the decisive second was born out of persistence.
“Soccer is performed till the ultimate whistle; you don’t cease enjoying. I had the boldness that one thing would occur, and I’m glad it will definitely got here to be.”
Key absentees and Damage replace
Insurance coverage have been with out key midfielder Alex and first-choice goalkeeper Joshua Baba, each nursing knocks. Ikhenoba defined their omission:
“Alex bought a knock in Maiduguri, and he’s going by means of medical consideration, the identical as Baba, who had a sprain in his thigh earlier than departing for Kano. You don’t need to take a threat in case you are enjoying a giant recreation like this; it’s worthwhile to be 100 per cent match to be on the sphere. They’re wonderful, and I feel with time, they may get again within the squad.”
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“A Work in Progress”
Regardless of the win, Ikhenoba urged endurance, stressing that Insurance coverage stay a undertaking nonetheless taking form:
“For many who care to pay attention, we’re a piece in progress, we preserve making an attempt to enhance on lapses and by the grace of God, we are going to return to the drafting board, preserve working laborious and put the boys by means of so the objectives can preserve coming.
“Typically, soccer is like that, however when the objectives begin coming, everybody shall be glad.”
The larger image
The victory catapulted Bendel Insurance coverage into tenth place with 5 factors from 4 matches, pending outcomes from the opposite 9 fixtures scheduled throughout the nation as we speak. Their subsequent problem is a frightening journey to Aba to face report champions Enyimba Worldwide.
For Niger Tornadoes, the defeat leaves them sixth with six factors, although different outcomes may push them decrease by the tip of the weekend. The Ikon Allah Boys now face a vital house tie towards Ikorodu Metropolis on 21 September, a fixture Majin has already tagged as “should win.”
Insurance coverage, alternatively, will hope that Emmanuel Israel’s late heroics are a spark to reignite their season.
