By SCM Sports Desk I Sunday, Oct.04, 2026
BENIN CITY — Bendel Insurance produced a dazzling display of attacking football to obliterate Barau FC’s undefeated record, crushing the league newcomers 4-1 in a fiery Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 7 clash.
In front of a roaring crowd at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the Benin Arsenal put on a clinic. Match-winner Kayode Oke Solomon delivered a star-studded individual performance, scoring twice to set the foundation for a clinical four-goal demolition that sent shockwaves across the division.
Bendel Insurance entered the match eager to bounce back from their recent setback against Abia Warriors. From the opening whistle, the hosts took total command of the tempo, controlling 58% of global possession throughout the match and out-shooting their opponents with 14 total attempts to Barau’s modest 5.
The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when star forward Kayode Oke Solomon broke the deadlock with a brilliant finish. Latching onto a precise forward pass, Oke expertly glided past his defender and slid the ball into the bottom corner to send the home fans into raptures and make it 1-0 heading into the interval.
Barau Fight Back, But Stars Take Charge
Barau FC, who arrived in Benin City boasting an impressive six-match unbeaten streak to open their campaign, refused to go quietly. As the second half progressed, they generated pressure on the counter-attack, forcing Insurance to defend deep.
However, Oke doubled the advantage in the 70th minute. Showing world-class movement inside the penalty box, the forward pounced on a loose ball and hammered it home for his second goal of the match to put Bendel Insurance 2-0 ahead.
The visitors threw themselves a lifeline in the 82nd minute when refereeing whistles blew for a penalty inside the Insurance box. Aliyu Sugau stepped up to the spot and calmly converted the spot-kick, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and threatening a late dramatic comeback.
Any hopes of a Barau comeback were instantly extinguished as Insurance’s star-studded frontline unleashed a devastating late blitz. Just four minutes after conceding, Suraju Lawal restored the two-goal cushion in the 86th minute. Lawal picked up the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a curling effort into the top right corner to make it 3-1.
In deep stoppage time (90+4’), substitute Jonathan James put the final nail in Barau’s coffin. Capatilising on an exhausted defence, James broke free on the counter and slotted a fourth goal into the net, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
Match Statistics Overview
Final Score: Bendel Insurance 4–1 Barau FC
Goal Scorers: Bendel Insurance — Kayode Oke Solomon (33′, 70′), Suraju Lawal (86′), Jonathan James (90+4′). Barau FC — Aliyu Sugau (82′ pen).
Match Status: Full-Time (Completed)
Shots on Target: Bendel Insurance registered 8 shots on target from 14 total attempts, while Barau FC logged 3 shots on target from 5 total attempts.
Possession & Discipline: Bendel Insurance controlled 58% of match ball possession, committing 11 fouls and receiving 1 yellow card, compared to Barau FC’s 42% possession, 16 fouls committed, and 3 yellow cards.
