Bendel Insurance ended Barau FC’s unbeaten start to the Nigeria Premier Football League season with a 4-1 victory in their Matchday 7 encounter at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Sunday.
Barau FC technical adviser Eugene Agagbe accepted that his side had been beaten by the better team, as Kennedy Boboye’s Bendel Insurance produced a commanding performance.
Kayode Oke scored twice for the Benin Arsenals, with Suraju Lawal and Jonathan James also finding the net. Aliyu Sugau scored Barau FC’s only goal of the match.
The result was the first league defeat of the campaign for the Maliya Boys, who were unable to recover after Bendel Insurance established control of the game.
Agagbe praised the home side’s character and said their performance represented an improvement on last season.
“Insurance showed strong character, better than last season. We lost to a very good team. I must admit that they played better today,” Agagbe said after the match.
He added that Bendel Insurance dealt effectively with Barau FC’s attempts to alter the pattern of the contest.
“When we changed our approach and put pressure on them, they responded well and made it difficult for us. When we play against a good side and lose, I don’t complain. Instead, we go back to look at how they did it and correct our mistakes.
“Congratulations to Coach Kennedy Boboye and his team. They actually played good football today.”
Bendel Insurance will aim to follow up their convincing home win when they travel to face Sporting Lagos in their next league fixture.
Barau FC, meanwhile, will return to home action against defending champions Rangers as they look to respond to their first defeat of the season.