The Benin Arsenals, who have lost every away game this season, travel to Ilorin after beating league leaders Rivers United 2-1 at home.
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Bendel Insurance technical adviser Kennedy Boboye is confident his side can pick up a positive result away to Kwara United in the Nigeria Premier Football League on Sunday. The Benin Arsenals visit the Rashidi Yekini Stadium in Ilorin for a Matchday 11 fixture, with kick-off at 4 p.m.
Insurance are looking for their first away win of the season. They have lost all of their away matches so far, which makes the trip a real test.
The mood in camp is good, though. Insurance beat league leaders Rivers United 2-1 at home last weekend, a result that ended the Pride of Rivers’ unbeaten run.
That win strengthened Insurance’s home record this season. They also ended Barau FC’s unbeaten run at home, so the Benin Arsenals have already knocked over two unbeaten sides. Fans following the NPFL can check this Bet9ja code overview for NPFL fans before kick-off.
Boboye Remains Upbeat
Boboye did not hide his optimism ahead of the game. He told the club’s media that the team will keep pushing and that nothing is impossible.
“We will keep pushing. Nothing is impossible,” he said. He added that the league is still fresh and that the team is getting better.
Insurance have 15 points from nine matches and sit ninth on the NPFL table. A win in Ilorin would lift them closer to the top half.
Can they finally end the away drought? The numbers say it is difficult, but Boboye’s side have shown they can beat good teams. Readers who follow the NPFL can also grab YOHAIG promo for NPFL bettors before the game.
A Tricky Test in Ilorin
Kwara United are tough opponents at the Rashidi Yekini Stadium, which holds about 18,000 fans. Insurance will need to be disciplined and sharp on the break.
Kwara finished 11th in the NPFL last season with 50 points. They know Insurance well from many past meetings.
Those meetings have often been close. Insurance beat Kwara United 3-1 in Benin in November 2024, and they drew 1-1 in Ilorin in April 2024 and 2-2 in Benin in November 2023.
Which side will come out on top? Early predictions lean slightly towards the hosts. Fans who like to test their forecasts can try Super9ja’s free entry alongside the fixtures.
Insurance then travel to Enugu Rangers on Wednesday, November 4.
A result in Ilorin would give Insurance real momentum. Boboye will hope the Rivers United win was the start of something.
📌 Did You Know?
- Kwara United play at the Rashidi Yekini Stadium Complex in Ilorin, which has a capacity of about 18,000.
- At the same stage last season, Kwara United beat Remo Stars 3-1 at home, with Junior Aimufua scoring twice, to move up to fifth with 16 points from 11 games.
- Also at that stage, Bendel Insurance drew 1-1 with Warri Wolves at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
- Insurance’s 3-1 win over Kwara United in November 2024 was the first game under new coach Greg Ikhenoba, with Austin Ogunye scoring an 85th minute header.
- In April 2024, Kwara United came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Insurance, after Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi put the visitors ahead in the 25th minute.
- In the November 2023 draw in Benin, Sadeeq Yusuf gave Kwara United the lead in the 15th minute before Insurance equalised in stoppage time.
