By Amaechi Agbo
Rangers International of Enugu scored a late equaliser to force a 1-1 draw in Benin against host Bendel Insurance in of the matchday 17 of Nigeria Premier Football League encounters at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin on Saturday
The visitors however made some dangerous incursions through their left wing but the Benin Arsenals defense network led by the captain Efe Enabulele, Promise Itoro and Chigozie Dennis made it difficult for the Flying Antelopes to have their way.
On return from the halftime break, Kennedy Boboye made his first substitution, making Elmer Arunta to give way for Austin Osayande. Coach Boboye made double substitution in the 65th minute of the game as the battle raged, introducing Promise Anyanwu and Jacob John in the place of Emmanuel Dung, Emmanuel Akpan.
Insurance FC got the breakthrough in the 81st minute of the game through substitute Promise Anyanwu who comfortably finished the good job Kayode Oke started .peeled away from the Rangers backline. Kayode’s initial effort was blocked but he recovered well on time to deliver a low line breaking cross that found Anyanwu ready for a clinical finishing.
It was when it looked certain that Insurance were going to celebrate another three maximum points at home that the Flying Antelopes struck in the 93rd minute just two minutes to stoppage with Chidozie Iwundu’s thunderous free kick which was deflected by Henry Oyian who tried to block the shot.
The heartbreak ,no doubt halt the momentum of the Benin Arsenals who returned from Ilorin on Monday with a 1-0 away victory against Katsina United after a convincing 3-0 triumph over Wikki Tourists in the match day 15 in Benin City.
Insurance now have 20 points and are 14th on the league table. They will be heading to Abeokuta to face defending champions Remo Stars of Ikenne in the match day 18 at the MKO Abiola Stadium on December 21.
The result means Insurance have managed just one win in their last six (2D 4L) NPFL meetings with Rangers.
In the post match media conference, Coach Kennedy Boboye rued missed chances and expressed concern about the inability of his strikers to put the ball in the net after much work.
He vowed not to relent in his effort to guide the club to a comfortable position before the end of the first stanza of the league.
