NPFL: Insurance target first away win at Ikorodu City

Bendel Insurance looks to secure their first away victory as they take on Ikorodu City in an NPFL matchday 6 fixture at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Benin Arsenal’s confidence is premised on the new boys not having their best of times in their maiden NPFL campaign, having mustered one point in five games and has yet to record a win at the basement of the standings.

Insurance has had an average season so far, winning one, drawing three, and losing one game, leaving them 12th in the standings with six points.

Monday Odigie’s team forced El-Kanemi Warriors to a 1-1 draw at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on matchday 5 and will be aiming for their second win of the campaign in Onikan.

Shortly before they departed for Lagos on Friday, the visitors underscored this ambition in a statement on their official X handle, which read, “We go again, and we head to Lagos this time in search of our first away victory. May the land of Lagos favour us. Please follow and support us.”

The Pride of Lagos lost 1-0 to Plateau United in Jos on matchday 5 and now look to but it’s back to business and this time, against a somewhat familiar opponent.

Tosin Oyedokun and Ayomide Cole, who were both absent for the last trip, are now back with the squad and available for selection.

In the absence of a head coach after the resignation of Bright Ozebagbe, the team will be handled by the assistant coaches in the team.

The lads will have to move on quickly from the disappointing loss and gruelling Jos trip. They will also have to take respite from the fact that they can score after the disallowed goal in Jos and bring a positive mindset into the encounter.

Both sides met previously in the second division when Ikorodu City played their first-ever league season in the Nigeria National League (NNL) 2021/2022 season. Ikorodu City and Bendel Insurance met on matchday three of the NNL Southern Conference B1 fixture.

Ikorodu City’s second-ever league goal in the NNL was scored by Johnson Peter against Bendel Insurance in a 1-1 draw on 26th February 2022, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Bendel Insurance went on to win the return fixture at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium 2-0 in a season they gained promotion back to the top flight.