_…Rangers Int’l Goes to Ozoro for Broke Vs Wolves_
By Chinedum Ohanusi
Head Coach of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin, Greg Ikhenoba has voiced his optimism in the ability of his new-look team to overcome their slow start, and compete favourably as the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Season progresses.
Ikhenoba made the assertion, during the media conference, at the end of his team’s 1-1 draw with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) Ibadan, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.
The Benin Arsenals began their campaign this season on the back-foot, losing their Day 1 fixture 0-2 away to El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri, last Sunday; and needed to come from behind yesterday to earn a point against 3SC.
Ikhenoba therefore appealed to the fans and management of the club to be patient and continue to have faith in him and the fledgling team; and assured that his player will soon get used to his philosophy and return to winning ways.
“We’re definitely working on the deficiency noticed already in order to get it right, and our efforts will yield results very soon”, he told the media.
The tactician however rued the missed chances, in the home fixture; saying poor conversion rate by his strikers, the lack of goals by the entire team, and being too anxious to put the balls away in front of goal were the bane of his players in the two games played so far.
”Every coach has his or her philosophy, and plans for each game, but sometimes things do not go exactly according to the blueprint; but that doesn’t mean the team is bad. Our strikers will score more goals if they play with patience, and discipline in front of the opponents goal”, Ikhenoba added.
After the first two matches of the season Insurance FC are just on one point, from a possible six, and Ikhenoba insists it would be unfair to right his team off, at this point.
“The league is very fresh, I am confident we will get the job done”, he comcluded.
The Day 2 encounter began on Saturday afternoon, with the visitors, Shooting Stars SC opening the scoring in the 5th minute, through Ayodele Ismail; and the home team responded swiftly by raising the tempo of the game, and got the leveller 8 minutes later through Alex Oweilayefa, who netted on his NPFL debut, with a classy header.
The second half of the game did not produce any more goal, despite the changes and tactical switches made by both Coach Ikhenoba and his opposite number, Coach Nurudeen Aweroro of 3SC.
Like Insurance, Shooting Stars SC also lost their first match 0-1 to Bayelsa United FC, at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Adamasingba, Ibadan; meaning a point apiece, was not what both sides actually bargained for.
Insurance FC will look for improvements, when they travel to Kano to face NPFL newcomers Barau FC in a Day 3 fixture, next weekend.
Meanwhile, nine other Day 2 fixtures are to be played at designated venues, across the country today; with the duel in Lagos, between Ikorodu City and El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, in Onikan, kicking off at 5:30pm.
At the University field in Ozoro, Delta State, promoted Warri Wolves will be home to Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu, who were held goalless by debutants, Kun Kalifat FC of Owerri, at the Cathedral – Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, in Enugu, last weekend.
Speaking ahead of the match, Captain of Rangers, Evans Ogbonda said the Flying Antelopes are in Orozo to right the wrongs of failing to win their season opener, and won’t be deterred by the fact that Wolves won their Day 1 fixture, away to Katsina United.
