In a game that will be remembered as a tactical masterclass, Bendel Insurance traveled to the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta and walked away with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the defending champions, Remo Stars.
The Matchday 18 fixture on Sunday, December 21, 2025, lived up to its billing, offering fans a rollercoaster of emotions and a display of clinical finishing that saw the “Benin Arsenals” climb to 10th on the NPFL table.
Kennedy Boboye’s men showed no fear against the Sky Blue Stars. From the whistle, Insurance looked sharper, exploiting spaces in the Remo defense.
14th Minute: Wisdom Udom opened the scoring with a brilliant finish, silencing the home crowd.
29th Minute: Chinedu Nwosu doubled the lead with a powerful header, rewarding Insurance’s relentless pressure.
Remo Stars, visibly shaken but determined, managed to claw one back in the 31st minute through Olalekan Adeleke, making it 2-1 and setting the stage for a frantic end to the first half.
Just as Remo Stars thought they were back in it, Bendel Insurance restored their two-goal cushion. In the 40th minute, Henry Onyia capitalized on his trademark long-throw chaos to make it 3-1 before the break.
The second half saw a more urgent Remo Stars side. Victor Mbaoma reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 61st minute, punishing a rare defensive lapse by the visitors. Despite a late onslaught from the defending champions, Insurance’s backline held firm to secure their second away win of the season.
League Standings & Impact
The result has significant implications as the first stanza of the NPFL season draws to a close:
Team Position Points Form
Bendel Insurance 10th 23 W-D-W
Remo Stars 15th 22 L-L-W
While Remo Stars coach Sulaiman Folarin lamented his team’s “bad luck,” Kennedy Boboye’s resurgent Insurance side now looks like a serious threat to the top half of the table.
Bendel Insurance return home to face Kwara United on Sunday, December 28.
Remo Stars must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further toward the danger zone as they prepare for their next matchday challenge.
