Bendel Insurance head coach, Greg Ikhenoba, believes his team remains a work in progress despite recording their first victory of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season over the weekend.
The Benin Arsenal snatched all three points at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday, courtesy of a dramatic 93rd -minute winner from Emmanuel Israel to edge Niger Tornadoes 1–0 on Matchday 4.
Insurance had endured a difficult start to the campaign, losing 2–0 away to El-Kanemi Warriors, before being held to a 1–1 draw at home by Shooting Stars and another 1–1 stalemate against newcomers Barau FC in Kano.
Ikhenoba was therefore relieved to see his side finally get over the line, but he cautioned that more hard work lies ahead.
“A big thanks to the boys. They all played to instructions and gave a good fight,” Ikhenoba told reporters after the game.
“If we continue in this manner, the sky will be our limit. But for those who care to listen, we are still a work in progress. We’ll go back to the drawing board, improve on our lapses, and keep working hard so that the goals can keep coming.”
The coach praised his players’ resilience, stressing that football is never over until the referee’s final whistle.
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“Football is played until the last whistle. I had confidence something would happen, and I’m happy it eventually did,” he added.
Ikhenoba also gave an update on injured duo Alex and goalkeeper Joshua Baba, who both missed the game.
“Alex picked up a knock in Maiduguri and is under medical attention, while Baba had a thigh sprain before we travelled to Kano. You can’t risk players in big games if they aren’t 100% fit. They are fine and with time they’ll return to the squad,” he explained.
The result lifted Insurance to 10th place on the log with five points, pending the outcome of other fixtures. Next up for the Edo Arsenal is a tough trip to Aba where they face Enyimba International.
