Bendel Insurance manager Kennedy Boboye says his team’s failure to match Abia Warriors’ first-half intensity was decisive in their 3-0 Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League defeat on Sunday.
Chukwuemeka Obioma scored twice for the hosts, with Etta Ikoi also finding the net as Abia Warriors secured a convincing victory.
Boboye, who has previously managed Sunshine Stars, Heartland, Akwa United and Plateau United, accepted that Bendel Insurance did not perform to the required standard before the interval.
“We played badly in the first half and were punished,” Boboye said after the match.
“That’s football for you. When you don’t meet the standard, your opponent punishes you.”
Former Abia Warriors players started
Bendel Insurance included three former Abia Warriors players in their starting line-up: Fatai Abdullahi, Suraj Lawal and Adekunle Adeleke.
The trio joined the Benin-based club before the start of the season, but Boboye said their selection was based on their regular involvement for Insurance rather than their return to face their former team.
“They have been starting every game here at Bendel Insurance since they joined us,” he said.
“This isn’t their first time and this is not an exception. It’s just that we’re unlucky to have conceded cheap goals in the first half.”
Bendel Insurance will return to action against Barau FC, and Boboye said the squad would use the defeat to reassess their approach.
“We’ll go back and restrategise for our next game against Barau FC,” he added.
Insurance yet to take an away point
The result means Bendel Insurance have lost each of their three away matches this season.
Boboye acknowledged that record is a concern for a side aiming to challenge for the title. He said his players must begin collecting points on the road rather than relying entirely on their home fixtures.
The visit of Barau FC will therefore be a significant opportunity for Insurance to respond, with Boboye demanding maximum points in their next match at home.
“Obviously, it’s going to be a must-win game for us if we must stay among the top sides on the log and contest for the title,” he said.
“We can’t think of winning the league and continue losing games like this.”
Reflecting on the team’s away record, Boboye added: “This is the third game we’ve lost away from home. If you want to be a champion, you must make sure you get something (points) from away games and not depend on home games alone.”