Bendel Insurance media officer Kehinde Osagiede says the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium has strengthened its reputation as one of Nigerian football’s most difficult venues for visiting teams after the Benin side defeated Barau FC 4-1 in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The emphatic victory ended Barau FC’s impressive unbeaten run, with Bendel Insurance securing the result through a brace from Kayode Oke and further goals by Suraju Lawal and Jonathan James.
Osagiede said the performance represented one of Insurance’s best displays and credited the players for delivering after Barau arrived in Benin City determined to cause an upset.
“I think we had our best game yesterday because it’s the same quality players they have been parading and everything worked well for us,” Osagiede said in an interview with Completesports.com.
“Barau FC came to Benin well-prepared to at least shock us, but fortunately for us, our players rose up to the occasion and ended that unbeaten run.”
The result also reinforced Osagiede’s belief that the stadium carries a significant psychological and historical influence in Nigerian club football.
He pointed to the legacy of Samuel Ogbemudia, whose name is attached to the venue, and said the ground’s history continues to contribute to Bendel Insurance’s strength at home.
“I can tell you that everything about Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is special. Ogbemudia himself, the name is iconic and synonymous with progress and development,” he said.
“So like you rightly said, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium has become a fortress, and it will be difficult for teams to survive at the venue. It’s a traditional ground, the home of soccer.”
Bendel Insurance’s commanding win has lifted confidence within the squad as they continue their domestic campaign.
The Benin side will now look to build on their home form and make the most of the advantage provided by the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in their remaining NPFL fixtures.