Bendel Insurance inch close to Premier League, get Edo’s N25m largesse

BENDEL Insurance Football Club, who were relegated from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) over a decade ago, yesterday in Benin incjed close to a return to the elite class with a 2-1 defeat of bitter rivals, 3SC of Ibadan at the Uniben Sports Complex. This is one of the results of the intervention in the state’s sports by Edo Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

The highly anticipated make-or-mar encounter between both teams was concluded yesterday when it was moved from Sunday due to bad weather.

With the 2-1 win, the Edo Arsenal as Bendel Insurance are fondly called, have secured the three points it needed to top the NNL table and look forward to booking a place in the 2018/19 NPFL season.

Receiving the team at the Government House yesterday, a visibly-elated Governor Obaseki congratulated the management and players of Bendel Insurance Football Club for defeating 3SC FC of Ibadan to proceed to the NPFL, saying the victory was another fulfilment of his administration’s promise to Edo people and residents.

“My joy knows no bound because of what you have done today. I congratulate you and congratulate myself. I say this because it is another promise kept. We promised Edo people that we would bring Bendel Insurance to its lofty status which we all will be proud off and make sure they go on to play in the Premier league,” the governor said.

He described the Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu who led the team to his office as the father of the New Bendel Insurance FC and commended him for the giant strides he made in rebranding the club.