NNLSuper8playoffs: Ekiti united held Bendel Insurance to 1-1 draw
By Emmanuel Chinedu – Enugu
….Fans Attacked Matchday Officials after the final whistle
Ekiti united bounced back from their matchday 1 defeat to Remo stars as they held Bendel Insurance to a 1-1 draw in Matchday 2 of the on-going Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 playoffs encounter on friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
the Ekiti state based club came into the encounter after their 3-0 loss to Remo stars in the opening Group A encounter. It was a difficult game for both sides as coach Monday Odigie led Bendel Insurance were very lucky not to go behind early in the game,
Ekiti united nearly took the lead through Puis Chikaodi in the 7th minute but his low strike went over the crossbar. It became a one-sided encounter as Ekiti united continued to dominate the game with good goal opportunities coming in for Ebuka Chukwu, Dayo Owoniyi and Sunday Oyebodo but they couldn’t convert the chances to goals as both teams went into the half time ended goallessly. but, in the second half, Bendel Insurance came out differently and started to more possession of the ball, with a good goal opportunity in the 54th minute when zaidu Ayuba put in a through pass to Ojo Tolulope but his strike was saved by Ekiti united’s Goalkeeper Sunday Okoh. then, it becomes to look like an encounter that will end goalless before Coach Monday Odigie made three second-half Substitutions as he introduced Imade Osarenkhoe, Kenneth Edozue and Sodje Stephen to replaced zaidu Ayuba, Maurice prince and Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi for Bendel Insurance in the final 20th minutes of the game.
The game came alive in the 82th minutes when Substitute Imade Osarenkhoe scored with a lovely right-footed volley inside the box to put Bendel Insurance 1-0 ahead but their lead was cut short when the Referee awarded a penalty to Ekiti united in the 89th minutes and the spot kickoff was converted by Puis Chikaodi and then leveled it 1-1 for Ekiti united as the encounter ended in a draw at the cathedral.
After the final whistle, the Bendel Insurance Supporters and Club officials rushed into the pitch and attacked the match Officials after he awarded a late penalty to Ekiti united. both Bendel Insurance and Ekiti united are now on the verge of missing out in the promotion race after gaining just a point in their opening two games in Group B.
The Monday Odigie men will now take on Group B Leaders Remo Stars in their last group game while Ekiti united will also play Shooting Stars on Saturday morning at the UNEC Stadium,Enugu.
