Bendel Insurance 1-1 Shooting Stars: Alimi's Late Strike Earns Oluyole Warriors Draw in Benin
Sikiru Alimi scored a late leveller as Shooting Stars Sports Club deservedly shared the spoils with old rivals, Bendel Insurance of Benin.
It was the former Sunshine Stars and Remo Stars' forward first league goal in the colours of the Oluyole Warriors and the goal turned out to be a vital one for the Ibadan soccer lords
The Matchday 17 encounter played at the Samuel Ogbenudia Stadium, produced no goal in tbe first half as both sides fired blank.
The Group A table topping Insurance however broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute through Sarki Ismael who nodded past goalkeeper Okemute Odeh, who, alongside his defenseline, had before then denied the Benin Arsenal any breakthoguh
With time running out, the coach Gbenga Ogunbte led technical crew made some changes, introducing the trio of Akopan Joshua, Anthony Okachi and Alex Aghahowa.
The substitutions paid off as the Ibadan soccer lords took the game to the hosts and were eventually rewarded five minutes to the end of the game, when Alimi pounced on the ball to slot in from close range.
Neither of the two teams could find the winner as the referee brought proceedings to an end after the six additional minutes elapsed.
It will be recalled that the first meeting between the two sides in Ibadan ended in a two all draw.