Insurance, 3SC Set for Bottom-of the Table Clash in Benin
Written by Alonge Akinlolu on 30 — 08
Two of 
Nigeria’s most respected cllubs, Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), go head to head this Saturday in Benin City under circumstances neither would have envisaged, both rooted at the bottom of the NPFL table after opening-day defeats.
Insurance suffered a 0–2 loss away to El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri, while 3SC fell 0–1 at home to Bayelsa United in Ibadan. The setbacks leave the Benin Arsenal and the Oluyole Warriors chasing their first points of the new campaign.
The fixture, billed for the UNIBEN Sports Complex, will be handled by referee Alfa Sadiq, according to the league’s weekend assignments.
History tilts slightly in favour of Insurance, who have dominated this fixture in Benin. The Benin side are unbeaten in their last three home meetings against 3SC, with two wins and a draw. Overall, the last six encounters between the rivals are evenly balanced, with two wins apiece and two stalemates.
For Insurance, a strong response at home is non negotiable after drawing blanks in Maiduguri. They are expected to bank on width and set-piece situations to unsettle the visitors. For 3SC, coach Nurudeen Aweroro faces the challenge of snapping a poor run in Benin that stretches back to the 1990s. His side must improve defensively in aerial duels, having conceded from a header against Bayelsa United last week.
With both teams struggling for goals in their openers, Saturday’s encounter promises to be tense and cagey. A low-scoring affair is widely anticipated, though Insurance’s strong home record could make the difference.
Possible outcome: Insurance 1–0 3SC, with a 1–1 draw the alternative if the Oluyole Warriors hold firm.
