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.”

Record-setting Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu has called it an end to his football career in the last match of newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League side, Bendel Insurance FC at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, on Friday, August 12, 2022.

Shaibu captained Bendel Insurance FC to a 1-0 victory over visiting Vandrezzer FC of Lagos to end their successful and productive Nigeria National League season.

Shaibu, a former Ijesha United of Akure FC midfielder has been a registered player for the Benin Arsenal since the 2016/2017 season, contributing to the team’s promotion in the 2017/2018 season and staying to play with the team since they went back to relegation.

Just like Gianluigi Buffon, Pavel Nedved, Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro Camoranesi, Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet who all stayed with Juventus – who went on relegation in the 2006/2007 season, Philip Shaibu registered for 2021/2022 NNL season to keep his playing status – though he could only play the first thirty minutes of the last game of the season in a glamorous fashion – his dressing room support is a huge factor in the 1972 Nigeria Football League winners.

In celebrating his retirement, Philip Shaibu shared by kicking forty quality balls to the fans, throwing the atmosphere into a frenzy scene as the excited fans registered their merry mind.

Speaking after the match, Philip Shaibu recounted how the journey was back to the NPFL, and appreciated the governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki for his immense support, and the management of the NNL for standing firm and staying focused on the assignment given to them.

“Today, we thank God that we are in the NPFL and we want to thank the coach – Monday Odigie and the players”

“I never settled for the less because I know that we can do better. The Edo State government is not in sports to make money, but we are in sports to change the narrative. We started with the facilities facelift and we shifted attention to building capacity.”

“Many had doubted us that we couldn’t sustain what we started, but so far, we have disappointed them and we will keep doing that as we belong to the league of the best.”

“We belong to NPFL and that’s where we will be, we will do everything to make sure that the momentum is sustained.”

“I’m leaving without injury and we won our last match, I’m happy for that.”

The former Water Cooperation FC of Akure midfielder pleaded with the Nigeria Football Federation and the Ministry of Sports to help the NNL in becoming the real engine room of the Nigerian men’s football league.

“The only way the NNL can be strong and be the engine room of Nigerian football is if the NFF and the ministry of youths and sports put their eyes down and do all to support them in gaining sponsorship so that there won’t be issues of owing referees their entitlement; but for us, we will continue to support the NNL in our best capacity.”

“The next target is continental for the team now and we will continue to support the team to achieve that.”

“To our sponsors – Sterling Bank, we want to thank you for trusting in our team and we both have achieved the aim – we have achieved our target and we hope they will now fulfil their promise of tripling the contract we signed last time.”

Shaibu ended his speech by stating the different teams he played for actively.

” For record purpose, aside from playing for UNIJOS school team in my tertiary institution days, I played at the NISFON U-20 tournament where we got to the quarter-finals, I played for the Foreign Affairs FC, the defunct Water Cooperation FC renamed to Ijesha United of Akure and Nigeria Prison Service FC.

A disappointing home draw against Benin Arsenal at the OAU Pitch ended the hundred percent home record of Omoluabi Giants in one of the Nigeria National League week 7 matches.

Having suffered a slim loss in the previous clash away to Gateway Utd, Olatunji Baruwa tutored side targets outright win against their guest but Insurance are resolute in scooping something from the game.

With only two adjustments to the squad that lined up against Gateway Utd., the home sides tried to impose their dominance from the blast of the whistle only to find it hard to go past the visibly determined visitors.

Deadlock remained intact as the centre referee from lmo State, Chibundu Sunny signalled the end of the first stanza. The second half saw couples of chances not utilized by both sides.

At hour mark, Habeeb Owolabi saw a premium attempt sails over the bar to the dismay of goal starved fans as he benefitted from a terrific howler from lnsurance goalie Kolawole Oladipo.

That could have being a turning point in the game. The guest also saw their one on one attempt parried away by Arinze Okoro at the death as referee Sunny waves a play on earlier on, despite a rash challenge on our captain, Hakeem Olalere.

Coach Baruwa Olatunji whose back up personnels couldn’t change the situations called on the fans to remain calm. He noted that his side is capable of turning things around.
“I commend our lads for their efforts. Nothing to worry about, though not the result we wanted but better days are ahead of us. We promise our fans to bounce back into the winning ways, we know how important our home games to us.” He concluded.

Believe and Achieve side will welcome Abeokuta Stomers to Obafemi Awolowo University Football Pitch on Saturday, 26th March 2020 in week 8 league match.

Bendel Insurance FC chief coach Benard Ogbe has called for improved atmosphere and level playing field as the Nigeria National League (NNL) progresses to enable players freely express themselves while on duty anywhere in the country.

The Benin arsenal handler made the call in a Post match interview shortly after his team defeated J.Atete 2-0 in their third game of the NNL at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium,Benin .

Coach Ogbe who was happy about the result insisted that the match was played under a relaxed atmosphere where both teams could express themselves on the field and where match officials as well as opponents are not intimidated or harassed.

According to him,his wish is to have similar atmosphere outside Benin where his players can express themselves.

“I thank God for our victory today but we are playing catch up and the battle is going to be fieced . We only appeal to our players to remain focused. It is our hope that we have friendly atmosphere for us to express ourselves when we visit teams away from home. We have not got to where we want to be but we will continue to push on as we shift attention to our next game.” He said.

Bright Osah(17) and Kenneth Eduoze(50) goals were enough instrument for the Benin arsenal to beat their visitors and won their second home game. Insurance now have six points from three games.
Insurance narrowly lost their second game 1-0 to Crown FC last Wednesday.
Insurance will be visitors to Apex Krane FC of Agbabor on 7th of March in one of the week five fixtures.

GROUP B
Last year’s semifinalist, Lobi Stars beat fellow Nigeria Professional Football League side, MFM FC with a 1-0 win. Ebube Duru’s first half strike was enough to put Kabiru Dogo’s men past Olukoya boys.

Crown FC with a dominant display eased past Godosky FC in a 1-0 win. The Nigeria National League side missed several chances in the first half, before getting the winner in 64th minute through Tobi Adeyi’s header.

GROUP C
Defending Champions, Shooting Stars started this year’s campaign just the way they left it off last year, following a 5-1 win over Nilayo FC. Shooting Stars defender, Benson Abbey netted a brace for the Oluyole Warriors, with goals from Gafaru Olafimihan, Waheed Omololu and Mohammed Mohammed completing the rout.