Nigerian Football
BENDEL INSURANCE RENDER THANKS TO GOD OVER NPFL PROMOTION
BY KEHINDE OSAGIEDE.
Players and officials of Bendel Insurance were today at the St.Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin to express their appreciation to God for his grace that led to their promotion from NNL to NPFL in the 2017/2018 season.
Led by the Technical Manager, Monday Odigie and club Secretary Charles Ehimekpen, the team arrived in the church on Airport Road, Benin at about 12.0 noon for the Thanksgiving Mass which began immediately.
The Priest,Rev Fr. Pascal Omonor in his message said it is good to be thankful to God at all times.
He admonished the club against turning back against God. I cited the case of Israelites in the Bible who after enjoying the favour of God later turned their back against God and later ended in slavery because of their ungratefulness.
“I am happy that you are here to thank God for seeing you through. I watched your games against 3SC live at the Uniben Sports Complex and a lot happened that day against your interest but God showed Himself and things turned around in your favour the next day when the match was finally concluded after the heavy rain that forced the postponement of the second half to the following day.
“I was obvious the rain washed away the forces against you that day. Only God knows why it happened that way but it eventually ended well for Insurance. I congratulate you once again “. He said.
Father Omonor however advised Insurance to always put their trust in God that by so doing they will always succeed.
He prayed and asked for God’s favour and protection upon members of the club and as well for the club to sustain their NPFL status.
Speaking after the Thanksgiving Mass, the assistant coach of the club, Greg Ikhanoba said it is good to thank God after winning a long time battle of promotion from NNL to the nation’s topflight league.
He said insurance is not ungrateful club, hence they are back to God to appreciate Him for the victories so far given the club.
On their game against Kwara utd coming up on Wednesday, the assistant coach expressed the team’s readiness to win.
Meanwhile, the club will on Wednesday host Kwara United in an NPFL fixture. It is their first home since returning to the top league of Nigerian football.
The match will be played at the University of Benin Sports Complex, the temporary stadium of the ‘Benin Arsenal’
They were forced to a 1-1 draw by Remo Stars in their first game on Sunday at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu,
The chief coach of the club, Baldwin Bazuaye said they were ready to host the Kwarans.
He added that his boys were in good shape and ready for the game.
Bazuaye said insurance are not scared of any opponent, home or away but only respect other clubs.
Meanwhile, the management of Bendel Insurance has appealed to football fans and supporters of the club to go about supporting their darling club peacefully and as well respect the human dignity of referees and other match officials home and away.
In a statement issued by the club’s media officer Kehinde Osagiede, the club urged their supporters to always do away with any act capable of bringing the image of the club to disrepute.
Bendel Insurance is a highly disciplined club and expects every member of staff and fans to respect the set rules and standard of behaviour of the club.
The statement added that Insurance is not a violent club and cannot condone such act and as well condemned the physical assault on Referee Bethel Nwanesi by home supporters of Remo Stars after their match against Insurance at the Gateway International stadium, Sagamu.
Insurance however assured that proper security arrangements are being put in place to avoid any ugly incident of breakdown of law and order.
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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