Bendel Insurance fell short in a tightly contested NPFL clash against Abia Warriors, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat on matchday 29 in Umuahia.
Coach Greg Ikhenoba had strong words for his team, citing missed opportunities and a lapse in concentration that proved costly. Footballrover reports.
While acknowledging the opposition’s tactical discipline, he expressed disappointment in his players’ inability to turn chances into goals.
Bendel Insurance’s costly errors lead to defeat to Abia Warriors
Ikhenoba pinpointed a crucial moment that decided the encounter—Sunday Megwo’s precise header, which sealed Abia Warriors’ victory.
He criticised his squad for losing focus at a critical stage, stating that in football, failure to capitalise on chances often leads to punishment.
Despite creating scoring opportunities, Bendel Insurance lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
The loss leaves Insurance in 12th place with 38 points, adding pressure ahead of their next fixture against Sunshine Stars in Benin City.
Ikhenoba admitted that no team is safe at this point in the season and urged his players to show more resilience in upcoming matches.
Ikhenoba analyses Abia Warriors’ tactical strength
Reflecting on the game, Ikhenoba acknowledged that Abia Warriors played with high intensity and tactical awareness.
“It was a good game, a well-contested game, and I wasn’t expecting anything less than what I saw. Abia Warriors are a very tactical side, and they play with a lot of zeal.
“We also had our own match plan, but we were unfortunate that that header from (Sunday Megwo) came, and there was nothing the boys could do as the goal decided the eventual outcome of the match,” he remarked.
While Insurance had a clear game plan, he admitted that Megwo’s goal was decisive, and his team had no response.
Despite the setback, Ikhenoba remains focused on correcting his team’s weaknesses before their next match.
He assured fans that the squad would work on improving efficiency in front of goal and defensive discipline to avoid similar lapses.
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