NPFL: Bendel Insurance Beat Kwara United 2–0 to Close First Round

Bendel Insurance wrapped up the opening half of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season with a 2–0 home win over Kwara United at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Saturday, December 27, 2025. The victory marked the final fixture of the first round and showcased Insurance’s strong home form as they head into the mid-season break.

The Benin Arsenal took the lead in the 19th minute, when Emmanuel Akpan powered a header past the Kwara defence from a precise cross. They extended their advantage in the 42nd minute through Kayode Oke-Solomon, who calmly finished off a team move to make it 2–0 before the interval. Insurance controlled the second half and saw out the win to close the first stanza on a high.

The result also extended Bendel Insurance’s unbeaten run, underlining their competitive consistency in the league’s first half, while Kwara United will look to regroup ahead of the season’s resumption.

Editorial

In a league defined by ebb and flow, where every point can recalibrate aspirations, Bendel Insurance’s 2–0 closing victory over Kwara United was both statement and strategy. At this juncture of the NPFL season the crossroads between first round’s end and second round’s beginning performances like this do more than register results they shape narratives.

Insurance’s approach to this fixture spoke of discipline and intent. They controlled the tempo from early on, imposed aerial dominance through Akpan’s decisive header, and struck again before halftime to blunt Kwara United’s resilience. In maintaining a compact defensive structure throughout the second half, Insurance demonstrated not only tactical acumen but also a maturity that bodes well for the tougher run of fixtures ahead.

The timing of the win just before the midseason pause could be psychologically significant. For squads challenging for higher table positions, ending the first half of the season on a winning note allows players and coaches to approach the break with confidence rather than concern. It reframes discussions in training rooms from what needs fixing to what can be strengthened, and gives tactical planning a clearer foundation to build on.

For Kwara United, defeat offers a contrasting homework assignment how to transform promising spells into tangible results and how to sharpen the cutting edge in decisive moments. Football is unforgiving of narrow margins, yet resilience is forged through reflection and resolve.

As the NPFL turns its page toward the second round, results like this remind us that progress whether measured in league points or developmental momentum begins with belief anchored in performance. Insurance’s composed finish reflects a club ready not just to compete but to contend.

Did You Know?

1. Unbeaten Stretch Bendel Insurance extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with this 2–0 win over Kwara United, showing growing consistency.
2. Early Scorers Both goals in the match were scored in the first half, with Akpan breaking the deadlock early before Oke-Solomon doubled the lead.
3. Home Advantage Bendel Insurance’s home form has been a strong foundation this season, contributing significantly to their mid-table standing.
4. Close Standings After the match, Insurance sat just one place above Kwara United in the NPFL table, highlighting the tight competition in the mid-league region.
5. Head-to-Head Edge Historically, Bendel Insurance has had the edge in recent meetings with Kwara United, maintaining an unbeaten H2H record over their last five encounters.