Kehinde Osagiede says the Benin Arsenal will rise from a heavy defeat at Abia Warriors, but unbeaten Barau FC are next.
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Bendel Insurance say they remain focused on their NPFL targets despite a 3-0 defeat at Abia Warriors. Media officer Kehinde Osagiede said the club is optimistic about the rest of the 2026/27 season.
Osagiede said the team aims to stay focused and collect maximum points where it can. “There will always be ups and downs,” he said, adding that the squad’s ability to rise up will show its determination.
How the Defeat Happened
Abia Warriors won the Matchday 6 game at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday, September 27, with all three goals coming before half time. Ikoi Etta opened the scoring in the 16th minute, and Emeka Obioma added two more in the 24th and 40th minutes.
It was Bendel’s third defeat of the season, after earlier wins over Warri Wolves, Kun Khalifat and Ikorodu City. The loss dropped their goal difference to minus one, and they are on nine points from six games.
Even so, nine points keeps them in the chasing pack behind the leading five. NPFL followers who like to call the results can play Super9ja on Bet9ja alongside the weekend’s fixtures.
Barau Await
Barau FC are the opposition, and they arrive unbeaten with three wins and three draws from six games. They beat Abia Warriors 2-0 on Matchday 5, then drew 1-1 at Sporting Lagos after Atule gave them the lead. That left them on 12 points after six games.
Bendel have scored nine goals and conceded ten, so tightening up at the back is the obvious fix. They scored four in a home win over Kun Khalifat on Matchday 3, so goals aren’t the problem.
Heavy defeats haven’t ended their seasons before. Bendel lost 4-0 at Kano Pillars last April and still finished in the top six. New bettors weighing the fixture can read about Bet9ja’s new-user promotion first.
What Comes Next
Bendel Insurance face Barau FC on Sunday, October 4, at 4pm, one of eight NPFL games on the day’s card.
The top of the table has already moved since Matchday 6. Rangers International beat Warri Wolves 1-0 on Wednesday to go top, and Enyimba won 4-2 against Shooting Stars.
Fans who want an enhanced opening bonus can check the YOHAIG Bet9ja offer before the weekend. Can Bendel stop an unbeaten side after conceding three in Umuahia?
📌 Did You Know?
- Bendel Insurance’s longest winless run last season was eight matches.
- Their biggest home win of 2025/26 was a 4-0 victory over Ikorodu City on March 1, 2026.
- The Umuahia Township Stadium, where Abia Warriors play, holds about 5,000 people.
- Bendel and Barau last met in the league on January 29, 2026, drawing 0-0 in Benin City.
- Matchday 6 produced 15 goals across the round’s games.
- Peter Obi watched Ikorodu City beat Rangers International 2-0 in Matchday 6.
