In addition to making an unexpected appearance to visit the team, Governor Obaseki also provided a ₦5 million cash reward before the match to further motivate the team as they prepare for the upcoming significant clash scheduled for Saturday.
The preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage is set to commence across the continent this weekend.
Out of the two Nigerian clubs participating in the competition, Bendel Insurance will be the only team in action. The other team, Rivers United, has received a bye to the next round.
After a lengthy absence from the continental stage, Bendel Insurance will be hosting their Algerian counterpart, ASO Chlef, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Saturday.
The main objective for the two-time Nigerian League Champions in this highly anticipated match is to avoid an early exit from the competition. This not only entails securing a victory but also scoring as many goals as possible against their opponent to have an advantage in the second leg in Algeria.
Both Bendel Insurance and ASO Chlef have taken a similar route to secure their continental slots. While Bendel Insurance secured a continental ticket by winning the FA Cup after missing out on the super six tournament, ASO Chlef clinched a spot by winning the Algerian league cup.
The forthcoming match will be a contest of determination, as both teams vie for advancement to the next phase of the competition. The encounter between the defensively-minded Algerian team and the goal-challenged Bendel Insurance side is expected to be gripping and suspenseful.
Bendel Insurance, with a record of 21 conceded goals, eight losses, five draws, and two wins on the road during the season, aims to capitalize on their improved performance. On the other hand, ASO Chlef’s relatively modest goal-scoring ability could be a stumbling block when facing a tactically defensive North African team.
Bendel Insurance has displayed promising form recently, with a victory and a draw in their last two friendly matches. Coach Monday Odigie and his team are moving in the right direction.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has been actively supporting and motivating the team ahead of the crucial match. He made an unexpected visit to the team during their preparations and presented a ₦5 million cash reward to boost their morale. He also expressed his confidence in the team’s abilities and promised further support, including improved bonuses and welfare.
The highly anticipated match is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, the home ground of the 1994 CAF Cup Champions.
