The victory now sees the newcomers leapfrog Remo Stars into first in Group A.
Imade Osarenkhoe scored for the fourth consecutive game since the start of the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season as Bendel Insurance cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Remo Stars on Saturday.
The fixture which was held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, was a classic definition of a top-of-the-table battle, with Remo Stars heading into the game as first in Group A, and hosts Bendel Insurance, behind them in second place.
It was also the first NPFL meeting between both teams since 2019 after they both regained promoted to the Nigerian top flight in 2021 (Remo Stars) and 2022 (Bendel Insurance).
Imade, Sarki extend goal tallies
Playing in front of their home fans was motivation enough for the Benin Arsenals who got the game rolling in as early as the fifth minute.
It was none other with the opener than Imade who benefitted off a scramble in the box after an Osas Okoro corner kick, to score his fourth consecutive goal this season.
Uncontented, they wasted no time to grab their second just 17 minutes later as Ismael Sarki stole the ball off a jittery Bankole Kayode before slotting it into the net.
For Sarki, it became the third time he had found the net this season, in four matches.
Bendel Insurance go first in Group A
Despite a couple of changes instigated by Daniel Ogunmodede, the day's win continued to seem like one that was going to elude them.
Two efforts from Imade and Daniel Nwachukwu in the space of five minutes in the latter hours of the second half, both came off the goalposts. But the day was not yet over for Monday Odigie's side as Austine Ogunye succeeded in getting a third goal for the Benin club before the final whistle.
The victory not only sees Bendel Insurance extend their winning streak to four matches, but also means they have now ended Remo's dual streaks of wins and going without conceding. They move into the first position in Group, with 12 points.
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