Sports
CAF Confederation Cup: Edo Readies As Bendel Insurance Hosts Morocco’s RS Berkane
Bendel Insurance FC of Benin, Edo State is set for another thrilling continental showdown as they advance in the CAF Confederation Cup with a first-leg clash against Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) of Morocco in the Second Qualifying Round of the competition.
The Edo-based team will host the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup winners for a place in the group stage, on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The Benin Arsenals who are Nigeria’s Federation Cup holders, secured their spot in the Second Round of the CAF Confederations Cup after a remarkable first and second-leg performance against Aso Chlef of Algeria, who are the 2022/23 Algerian Cup winners.
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The team, which has remained unbeaten this season, has continued to enjoy the support and motivation from the state government which has rejuvenated the indomitable spirit for which the Benin Arsenals have always been known.
The Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, has made huge investments in developing and sustaining the football club in particular and the sports sector in general, with investments that have revitalised sporting activities and elevated the state-owned club from erstwhile relegation into the lofty heights of visibility, which the team now enjoys across the nation and the African continent.
Speaking ahead of the September 16 encounter, the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Andrew Okungbowa, said the State is ready to receive the visitors, expressing confidence that the home team will come out victorious after 90 minutes.
According to him, “All is set as our darling team, Bendel Insurance FC, hosts Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) of Morocco in the first leg of the 2nd Qualifying Round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
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“The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, with its state-of-the-art facilities and impeccable pitch conditions, has been meticulously prepared for this great encounter, and our football-loving fans and supporters are ready and eager, as always, to fill the 12, 000 capacity stadium with their cheers and support for the players, creating an electrifying atmosphere that will certainly inspire the home team to victory.
“It is going to be another carnival-like and festival Saturday in Benin, as the State Governor has given us a matching order to mobilise Edo people just as we did in the first leg last month, to cheer our darling Insurance to victory. We have already set machinery in place to mobilise our people and to ensure that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is full to capacity on match game with fans and supporters from across the State as we are going to provide free transportation from 12 different locations in the city to take people to the stadium and return them after the game.”
Sports
AC Milan Scrap Victor Boniface Transfer Over Failed Medical Tests
AC Milan has called off its proposed transfer of Nigerian striker Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen, claiming the player failed to pass mandatory medical examinations.
The deal, which had been verbally agreed upon with a €5 million loan fee and a €24 million buy option, fell through despite Boniface’s arrival in Milan within the last 48 hours.
The decision was confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, on Sunday.
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“AC Milan call Victor Boniface deal off as Nigerian striker did not pass the medical tests,” Romano posted.
“Despite verbal agreement for €5m loan fee and €24m buy clause with player in Milano in the last 48h, deal called off due to medical. Boniface, returning in Germany today.”
According to reports, the 24-year-old Nigerian international had two anterior cruciate ligament operations and recurring groin problems that have affected his availability in recent seasons.
Milan are not the first Serie A club to have reservations about the striker’s fitness, with reports suggesting that Roma rejected a swap proposal involving Boniface and Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk several weeks ago due to similar concerns over the Nigerian’s condition.
Sports
Why I’ll Never Advise My Son To Visit Nigeria – Taribo West
A former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, on Friday, berated the Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos State Government for allegedly abandoning the family of late goalkeeper, Peter Rufai.
Speaking at Rufai’s burial in a video posted by News Central on Friday, the ex-Inter Milan star expressed disappointment over what he described as the neglect of Nigerian football heroes after their death.
“It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family. I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life for. That’s why I say I have to shift back so that I will not implode. It’s grieving.
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“My mother passed on. I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands. I never shed tears. When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body. And every individual I’m speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?” he said
The former international recalled similar situations with late football icons such as Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, stressing that the treatment of ex-players discouraged him from encouraging his children to serve the country through football.
READ ALSO:Ex-Super Eagles Coach, Monday Sinclair, Is Dead
“With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Send me out! Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way in his family.
“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit in within our groups to ask for money? That is madness. Look, please let me go. I don’t want to pour my heart,” he stated.
Rufai, fondly called “Dodo Mayana,” was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and the country’s debut at the FIFA World Cup the same year.
He passed away in July 2025.
Sports
CHAN 2024: Top Scorers Ahead Of Quarter-final Fixtures
Uganda’s Allan Okello and South Africa’s Thabiso Kutumela are currently joint top scorers at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), with three goals each as the tournament heads into the quarter-final stage.
The group stage concluded on Tuesday, with Sudan holding Senegal to a 0-0 draw to finish top of Group D, while Nigeria defeated Congo 2-0.
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Here are the top scorers going into the CHAN quarter-finals:
Allan Okello (Uganda) – 3 goals
Thabiso Kutumela (South Africa) – 3 goals
Abdelrazig Omer (Sudan) – 2 goals
Kaporal (Angola) – 2 goals
Austin Odhiambo (Kenya) – 2 goals
Clement Mzize (Tanzania) – 2 goals
The quarter-final fixtures are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
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