NPFL: No Super Eagles curse for Bendel Insurance in record win over Remo Stars

The much-anticipated clash of the titans in Benin City ended in favour of the Arsenal to the delight of their vociferous supporters

Bendel Insurance took Remo Stars to the cleaners on Saturday afternoon as they ran out 3-0 winners over the Ikenne-based outfit at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

Both teams were the early pacesetters in the opening three rounds of the Nigeria Premier Football League with victories over each of their opponents before kickoff.

Something had to give, however, when the two giants met at the same stadium where the Super Eagles fumbled a four-goal lead to stumble to a 4-4 draw against Sierra Leone a little over two years ago.

And it was Bendel Insurance who swept past that Super Eagles curse to force a heavy defeat down the throat of Remo Stars.

Full time!

The centre referee signals for full-time as Bendel Insurance picks the fourth win of the season.

BENDEL INSURANCE 3-0 REMO STARS #BENREM#NPFL23 pic.twitter.com/J1WkaHOhOT

— Bendel Insurance FC (@BendelInsurance) January 28, 2023

Remo Stars had not conceded any goal this season before Saturday but goals from Imade Osehenkhoe (his fourth goal in as many matches), Ismael Seriki, and Austine Ogunye made a mockery of the Sky Blue Stars’ defense.

The victory is Insurance’s first-ever win over Remo Stars with their two previous clashes both in 2019 ending in draws.

Elsewhere, champions Rivers United registered their first away win of the season with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Dakkada.

The home side got the game going with Isaac George’s 16th-minute opener at the Nest of Champions.

But Nyima Nwagua and Naibe Akpesiri struck fine efforts late in the first half to turn it around for the visitors – who held on to the lead after the break to seal their third win in four league games.