The team who have already gained promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League with 49 points, 9 ahead of closest opponents, Gateway United in group B1 arrived in Bayelsa with brewed confidence and they were never disappointed to emerge as undeterred champions.

Bendel Insurance took the lead in the first half courtesy of Austin Ogunye’s header from Julius Emiloju’s fascinating cross in the 38th minute of the game.

The Benin Arsenal were equalled in the second half after a miscommunication in the 18-yard box.

Being the favourites going into the final match of the tournament having beaten the host, Bayelsa United 1-0 and drew El-Kanemi Warriors 1-1 in the first and second matches retrospectively continued pressing their opponents harder and had a series of chances to get back into the lead.

Coach Monday Odigie tweaked his formation to scatter the defensive plan of a stubborn Doma United when he threw in Ebenezer Odeyemi into the fray of things – the energetic defender turned out to be a thorn in the flesh of the Savanna Tigers’ defence with constant runs and full attacks in the final third.

Divine Nwachukwu picked up a felicitous pass from Maurice Prince in the opponents’ half, sped through the left wing like a locomotive engine and crossed into the box to connect an advancing Ebenezer up – the strong forward didn’t miss his target as his fine jab went in straight to the back of the net to send the Benin Arsenal and supporters into a wild jubilation.

Insurance kept the lead with further attacks on their opponents to get security until the centre referee signalled the end of proceedings.

The programme which is aimed at sensitizing the newcomers into the top-flight started at about 10:00 a.m, and the representatives of the clubs (Bayelsa United, Bendel Insurance, Doma and El Kanemi Warriors) were put through various sessions of the CAF Club Licensing Regulations.

In his opening remarks the Head of Operations of the NPFL, Prince Davidson Owumi said: “I see you as investors in the league because you are co-owners of the product called Nigerian Professional Football League and there’s no better way to identify you.

“As I welcome you today’s history-making event, I encourage you to abide by all the requirements and criteria that the CAF Club Licensing Regulations have to offer.

“The administrative success of a club in the league is determined by the level of adherence and compliance to all the criteria involved in these regulations, where as, the failure of any club is also dependent on their inability to abide or comply to the criteria thereof.

“We all know that our league is at a point where the only thing we need is revival, and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the right things are done; that is the only way we can make progress as one and indivisible body.”

Speaking on behalf of the inductee clubs, the secretary of bendel insurance FC, Ihimekpen Charles, while appreciating the leadership of the NPFL, stated that: “There is no other route to a successful club administration outside the CAF Club Licensing Regulations.

“We are going back home to ensure that we start putting all that we have gotten here today into practice, so that at the end of the day we will not be found wanting in any area of the regulations, in terms of compliance.

Similarly, the Chairman of Doma FC, Suleiman Umar, in his reaction said as a proprietor, he has benefited what is needed to run a fully professional football side without Fear of the Unknown, adding that the CAF Club Licensing Regulations is a complete package as per club administration.

“We have truly gained what we need to run as a club without Fear of the Unknown because what we having taught here is firsthand in terms of professionalism; this induction course is actually a complete package.

“I am happy that this is happening at this time because we are going back to make sure that we put to practice what we got here, in order to make the necessary progress.”