Bendel Insurance earned their first victory of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League season after a dramatic late strike gave them a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes in Benin on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The curtain-raiser of matchday four at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium kept the fans on edge until deep into stoppage time, when substitute Israel Emmanuel rose highest to head home from a set-piece and end Insurance’s four-game wait for a win this season.

The match began with high intensity as the hosts pressed forward, seeking an early breakthrough. They forced an early corner in the 11th minute, but the Tornadoes’ backline stood firm.

The visitors also had their chances, with Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi combining well with Terdoo Shimagande in the 19th minute, only for Insurance goalkeeper Bamidele Adeniyi to gather comfortably.

The first half was evenly contested, with Insurance pushing through the wings and Tornadoes relying on counter-attacks.

Sarki Ismail went closest for the Ikon Allah Boys in the 35th minute, shooting over the bar after being picked out by Abdulrasheed Dabai.

Tornadoes captain Sunday Akinmoladun earned a yellow card shortly after for a rough challenge, as the visitors sought to disrupt Insurance’s rhythm.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with both sides creating half-chances but lacking composure in the final third. Insurance’s biggest scare came in the 83rd minute, when Akinmoladun cleared off the line to deny what looked like a certain goal.

Tornadoes goalkeeper Ifeanyi Nchekwube was also called into action repeatedly, punching clear dangerous deliveries as Insurance piled on pressure in the closing stages.

As the game drifted towards a goalless draw, tensions rose with tackles flying in and Tornadoes skipper Abba Khalid booked for time-wasting in the 88th minute.

The assistant referee signalled six minutes of stoppage time, and the hosts seized the moment.

In the 93rd minute, a well-delivered free kick was met by Emmanuel, whose powerful header left Nchekwube rooted as the stadium erupted.

The victory ended the Benin Arsenal’s early-season drought and provided a huge morale boost for Raymond Ikhenoba’s men, who had managed two draws and suffered a loss before this fixture. For Tornadoes, it was a painful outcome after a disciplined defensive display for most of the contest.

Insurance will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for the tough encounter against nine-times champion Enyimba, while Tornadoes will return to Minna frustrated by their late collapse but encouraged by the resilience shown for much of the match as they host Ikorodu City.