Niger Tornadoes endured a difficult outing as they fell 3-0 to Bendel Insurance in a tough NPFL25 clash in Benin. The Ikon Allah Boys struggled throughout the match, playing most of the game with 10 men after goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo was sent off just before halftime.
The hosts wasted no time in taking control, opening the scoring in the 5th minute. Julius Emiloju reacted quickest to a loose ball after Enaholo failed to gather cleanly, smashing it into the net to put Bendel Insurance ahead. The early goal forced Tornadoes onto the back foot from the start.
Despite seeing more possession as the first half progressed, Majin Mohammed’s side failed to convert their dominance into meaningful opportunities. Bendel Insurance remained solid at the back, frustrating the visitors and limiting them to speculative efforts.
Niger Tornadoes' situation worsened in the closing moments of the first half when Enaholo was shown a straight red card for stopping a goal-bound attack. The numerical disadvantage left the visitors in an even tougher position heading into the break, trailing 1-0.
The second half resumed with Tornadoes hoping to regroup, but they were dealt another blow just 10 minutes in. Uche Collins found himself unmarked in the box and made no mistake, doubling Bendel Insurance’s lead after a well-worked attacking move.
In an attempt to salvage the game, Niger Tornadoes made changes, bringing on Rickson Mendos for Adebambo Adebayo, who had struggled to make an impact. However, the substitutions failed to shift the momentum in their favor.
Bendel Insurance sealed the win in style when Kayode Oke beat the offside trap and calmly slotted home, making it 3-0. The third goal all but confirmed a miserable day for Niger Tornadoes, who had no answers for the hosts' relentless attack.
Majin Mohammed made further late substitutions, introducing Abdulrahman Hamisu and Olawale Emmanuel, but it was too late to change the course of the match. Bendel Insurance remained composed and saw out the game comfortably.
The defeat marks Niger Tornadoes’ second-heaviest loss on the road this season, raising concerns about their away form. With defensive lapses and attacking struggles evident, the team will need to regroup quickly to bounce back.
Niger Tornadoes will now shift focus to their next fixture, aiming to recover from this setback. Meanwhile, Bendel Insurance will take confidence from this dominant display as they continue their strong run in the league.
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