Odusina Sunkanmi and Iwundu Chidozie scored in each half as Gateway United defeated Bendel Insurance 2-nil on Saturday to end the first stanza of the 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL) season on a high at MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.
The matchday 13 fixture did live up to expectations with the home side dictating the pace of the game. The first goal scare came in the 15th minute when Seyi Okeowo’s header went wide off a free-kick.
Seyi Okeowo came close again in the 20th minute with an effort cleared off for a corner in a tight space by Insurance goalie, Kolawole Oladipo.
The visiting side also showed impetus with Ismail Saraki heading side net. However, on the stroke of halftime, Haruna Salifu chested down for Olasunkanmi Odusina who made no mistake in firing a fantastic pile-driver into the net to put the Ogun State lads ahead.
The Hakeem Busari tutored continued from where it left off in the second half and 7 minutes into the game, Iwundu Chidozie rose highest to head home Ogunleye Sulaimon’s cross past Insurance’s Kolawole Oladipo.
The remainder of the game saw the introduction of Taye Yusuf and Aribisala Timilehin at the expense of Seyi Okeowo, Victor Adeoye as Gateway United kept piling the pressure for the third but it was Insurance who resolutely defended their goal to avoid further damage.
Sunkanmi Odusina was thereafter awarded the Man of The Match with a cash gift by Ogun FA chairman Alhaji Gani Majekodunmi.
Gateway United will now face Bendel Insurance in a reverse fixture on 20th April 2020 at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
