El-Kanemi Warriors FC made a statement start to the 2025/2026 Nigeria Professional Football League season, thrashing Bendel Insurance FC 2-0 in a thrilling match played at the El-Kanemi Stadium in Maiduguri.
The home crowd erupted in jubilation as the Maiduguri-based team asserted their dominance, showcasing their skills and teamwork in a match that sets the tone for El-Kanemi Warriors’ campaign in the NPFL this season
The match began with high intensity, fueled by deafening cheers from the passionate El-Kanemi faithful. The hosts started brightly and could have gone ahead early on, but forward Mas’ud Danjuma squandered two golden chances, both brilliantly denied by the Bendel Insurance goalkeeper.
While Bendel Insurance attempted to build momentum in the midfield, they were repeatedly thwarted by the relentless efforts of El-Kanemi captain Zayad Musa and midfield enforcer Daddy Abdulrahman. The home side continued to push for an opener, making a tactical substitution before halftime, with Jonas Emmanuel replacing Mas’ud Danjuma who was injured. Despite Warriors dominance, the first half ended goalless.
The second half saw a rejuvenated El-Kanemi side take full control of the game, clearly boosted by the halftime instructions of Head Coach Kabiru Dogo, Their persistence paid off in the 59th minute when a penalty was awarded, and Al’amin Umar calmly stepped up to convert, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Bendel Insurance barely had time to recover ,just five minutes later, Daddy Abdulrahman doubled the lead with a well-placed finish, capping off a superb team performance.
Despite some late pressure from the visitors, El-Kanemi Warriors held firm. However, the match wasn’t fair for captain Zayad Musa who was shown a straight red card late in the game, forcing the hosts to finish with ten men.
Five minutes of added time were played before the referee brought the encounter to an end, sealing a well-deserved win for the “Babagana Umara Zulum Boys,” also known as the “Borno Army.”
El-Kanemi Warriors FC next stop will be Lagos against Ikorodu City FC, while Bendel Insurance FC will return to the drawing board in search of their first points of the campaign at home against Insurance who lost at home against Bayelsa United.
Source/El-Kanemi Media
