Benin Bronze 1-2 Monarch FC
A late header from Uchenna Agu keeps the Monarchs one point off the top after a hard afternoon in Benin City.
It took eighty-seven minutes, a corner and a centre back who has played 212 games for this club, but Monarch FC came home from Benin City with three points and the long unbeaten run intact.
Benin Bronze started faster. With the sun still high they pressed our full backs and went ahead on 22 minutes, when a deflected shot from the edge of the box looped over Chidera Eze. The North End travelling section, about four hundred strong, kept singing anyway.
Coach Anayo Nwafor changed the shape at half time, moving Daniel Okoro into a central role and pushing Tobenna Okafor wide. Within ten minutes it paid off: Okafor beat his man on the right and cut the ball back for Somto Nwankwo, whose first time finish was his seventh goal of the season.
The winner came late. Ikenna Obi swung in a corner from the left, and Uchenna Agu rose above two defenders to head it in off the post. Eze then made a sharp save from a free kick in the fourth minute of added time.
"We stayed patient," said Nwafor afterwards. "Benin are hard to beat at home. The players showed what this club is about: we keep going until the whistle."
Match facts
- Goals
- 22' Benin, 56' Nwankwo, 87' Agu
- Possession
- 46% to 54%
- Shots
- 9 to 13
- Yellow cards
- Adeyemi, Danladi
- Attendance
- 6,100
- Player of the match
- Uchenna Agu
Example match data for this demo.
Who played
Monarch FC: Eze; Nnadi, Ani, Agu, Danladi; Adeyemi (Chukwu 78), Obi, Okoro; Okafor, Nwankwo (Bello 84), Ude (Onah 70).
Unused: Mbah, Ezeh, Etim, Nwosu.
Next: Monarch FC v Uyo Coastline, Saturday 8 November, 4pm.
That header is for everyone who made the trip. We heard you all afternoon.
Uchenna Agu, centre backWhere can I watch the goals?
Highlights are on the match centre page for Royal Court members within two hours of the final whistle.
How many fans travelled?
About four hundred, most on the two supporters buses. Crown members paid half fare.
When is the next away game?
Ibadan Cocoa Kings on Sunday 16 November. Supporters bus seats open to members on Monday.