By our man in Benin City
BENIN CITY, NIGERIA – The roar was deafening and the result was emphatic as Bendel Insurance turned their home ground, the mighty Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, into a fortress to sink Wikki Tourists 3-0 in a blistering NPFL encounter.
For the Tourists, this wasn’t just a defeat; it was a brutal mugging in the heart of Edo State, where the home fans proved they are the 12th man, sucking the air out of the visitors with every chant.
The stunning victory, delivered on the hallowed turf of the recently renovated, 12,000-seater arena, underscored just how crucial this venue is to the ‘Benin Arsenal’s’ ambitions.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, a name synonymous with Nigerian football history and a venue that has hosted international games, was absolutely rocking for the Matchday 15 clash.
It was Chinedu Nwosu who set the Lion’s Den alight, finding the net in the 16th minute.
The electric atmosphere, supercharged by the faithful, visibly spurred on the hosts as they came out for the second half with fire in their boots.
The inevitable second goal came just two minutes after the restart when Emmanuel Dung doubled the advantage (47 mins).
The crowd went ballistic, celebrating a goal that felt less like a strike and more like a declaration of home dominance.
The rout was sealed on the hour mark by Emmanuel Akpan (59 mins), completing a comprehensive 3-0 demolition that leaves Wikki Tourist fans facing a long, miserable journey back up north.
The message is clear: when they play at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Bendel Insurance are a different beast.
Any team travelling to Benin City must first contend with the history and the sheer intimidating passion of their home ground before they even face the players.
Insurance have turned their stadium into a true citadel, and this 3-0 thumping is the latest evidence of its magnetic power.
