Suraj Ayeleso says the hosts could not build on their draw in Kano after three goals in seven second half minutes decided the game in Ilorin.
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Kwara United goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso has admitted that Bendel Insurance deserved their 2-1 win in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The shot stopper praised the visitors’ discipline after the Matchday 11 defeat at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin on Sunday, November 1.
The first half ended goalless, but the game burst into life after the break. Stephen Gideon put Kwara ahead in the 49th minute, and Kayode Oke equalised just three minutes later. Chinedu Nwosu then scored the winner in the 55th minute.
Ayeleso was honest about what went wrong. He said it was unfortunate that Kwara could not build on the point they had won away in Kano.
“They really outplayed us as they showed maturity.”
The goalkeeper added that the team will work on the positives and fix the lapses shown in the game. Those words matter, because Kwara had taken the lead and still lost within six minutes.
Insurance Show Their Strength
The win in Ilorin continued a strong run for the Benin side. On Matchday 10, Bendel Insurance beat Rivers United 2-1 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, handing Rivers their first defeat of the 2026/27 season.
That result is all the more impressive because Bendel have been shaky at the back. Coach Kennedy Boboye was worried after the team conceded 14 goals in their first 10 league games. Yet they came from behind in Ilorin, which says a lot about their character. New Bet9ja users who follow the NPFL can check the YOHAIG Bet9ja bonus before the next round.
Bendel’s next test comes quickly. They face champions Enugu Rangers on Wednesday, November 4, at 4pm, then Niger Tornadoes on Sunday, November 8, also at 4pm.
Rangers are no pushovers. They drew 1-1 with Rivers United on Matchday 11, and they remain joint leaders alongside Rivers United, the side Bendel beat a week earlier.
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Kwara Look Ahead
Kwara United face a quick reset. They take on Enugu Rangers on Sunday, November 8, at 4pm, and the defending champions will give them little time to dwell on Sunday’s loss.
The head-to-head record against Bendel does not help their confidence either. Bendel beat Kwara 2-0 on December 27, 2025, and Oke scored that day as well. Fans following both sides can read about this Bet9ja promotion to see how the offer works.
For Ayeleso and his teammates, the task is simple. They had the lead and lost control of it, and now they must show that they can learn from it before Rangers arrive on Sunday.
📌 Did You Know?
- Kayode Oke also scored in Bendel Insurance’s 2-0 win over Kwara United on December 27, 2025.
- Rivers United goalkeeper Clinton Andy made three point-blank saves in the goalless first half before Bendel beat Rivers 2-1 on Matchday 10.
- Rivers United and Enugu Rangers drew 1-1 on the same Matchday 11 weekend, and they remain joint leaders.
- All three goals in Ilorin came between the 49th and 55th minutes.
- Bendel Insurance and Kwara United drew 2-2 in Benin on November 18, 2023, one of several close meetings between the sides.
