Sports
CAF Game: Obaseki Rallies Residents As Bendel Insurance Hosts Algeria’s Aso Chlef
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
…assigns buses to convey fans to Stadium
…first 100 to get free jerseys
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged residents of the state to come out on Saturday, August 19, 2023 to cheer Bendel Insurance as the team begins its campaigns in the CAF competition with first match against Algeria’s Aso Chlef, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Addressing journalists at a press conference, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Yusuf Alli, said the historic encounter will see Bendel Insurance play again at the Continental stage after 34 years.
He said, “We just want you to know what is happening to Bendel Insurance from our own end and also from the Governor’s side of it. The last time Bendel Insurance played at the continental level was 34 years ago.
READ ALSO: NPFL: Bendel Insurance Thrash Remo Stars
“Now, we are playing on the continent with the first match being this Saturday, we need the whole stadium to be filled up. We want a full capacity. We have tickets printed, airing television and radio commercials. Ticket gates are available for everyone. It is free.
“The state government and our governor are putting everything into hosting the match, ensuring that our team, Bendel Insurance, comes out on top on Saturday. For us, it is historic having not been on this stage in the last 34 years and so coming to this point, we are now and giving the fact that we have made history in the last abridged league and also the FA Cup that brought us here. The state government is quite aware of this and because of that, every effort is being made to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that our team comes top.”
He said Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved the release of buses to mobilise supporters to and back from the stadium, noting that hundreds of jerseys will be distributed to football fans at the stadium.
READ ALSO: NPFL: Bendel Insurance Outclass Akwa United In Season Opener
The Managing Director, Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), Hauwa Dupe Ohikhuare, disclosed that the 10 locations for the free bus ride to the stadium include: “Agbor Road-axis -Ramat park; King Square – 1 Mission Road and ECTS main terminal; Ugbowo pick up point- Main Gate and ECTS turning point at Oluku/NIFFOR Junction; Sapele Road- Winners Chapel.”
Others are: Airport Road – ADP Junction & Estate Gate; Ekenwa axis – Ojemai farms; Siloko/Ogida – Channel 55; Aduwawa/ Eyan Axis- Pipeline & Idokpa Town Hall. New Benin; Mission road by Total Junction and Upper Sakponba- Goretti and Third East Circular Junction.
He added that a roadshow would also be organised on Friday across Benin City to further drum up awareness and support for the team while the state governor will visit the team camp tomorrow, Thursday, August 17, 2023 to inspire the team to victory.
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Sports
Enabulele Applauds Team Edo Deaf Athletes For Performance At W’Africa Championship
Published
22 hours agoon
September 12, 2025By
Editor
Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Enabulele, has commended Team Edo deaf athletes who represented Nigeria at the just-concluded West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship in Abuja.
At the close of the championship, Nigeria secured six gold medals in total, with Team Edo contributing three gold and four silver medals.
Enabulele, in a statement signed by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Friday, described the athletes’ performance as outstanding and a source of pride for both Edo State and Nigeria.
“I am particularly thrilled by Deborah Ighawuanre’s exceptional performance in the female category, winning two gold medals at the championship,” Enabulele said.
READ ALSO:Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance
He also commended the exploits of other Edo athletes, including Victory Odokara, who clinched gold in the women’s 400m event; Okpaise Nathaniel Junior, who won two silver medals in the men’s category; and Assurance Omoria, who claimed silver medals in both the 100m and 400m events.
Enabulele emphasized that the team’s success reflects the outcome of targeted investment and support from the state government.
“This feat is a clear testament to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development in Edo State,” he stated.
The sports commission chairman who expressed optimism about the future of the athletes, said: “Our athletes have distinguished themselves at this championship, and I am confident these victories will inspire even greater performances in upcoming competitions.”
READ ALSO:Enabulele Confident Of Team Edo’s Success At 2025 NYG
Enabulele disclosed in the statement that four of the seven athletes selected to represent Nigeria at the upcoming Deaflympics, scheduled for November 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, are from Edo State.
Adding his voice in the statement, Dr. Sunny Aimufua, Head Coach of the Edo Deaf Athletics Team, praised the athletes for their dedication and resilience.
“The athletes have made Edo State proud, and we are committed to doing even more in future competitions. I must commend Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele for his dynamic leadership and unwavering support for deaf sports.”
The West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship was organized to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ECOWAS, bringing together top deaf athletes from across the sub-region for a historic and highly competitive event in Abuja.
Sports
2026 World Cup: All You Need To Know About South Africa Vs Nigeria Match
Published
5 days agoon
September 8, 2025By
Editor
The Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein will take centre stage on Tuesday as South Africa’s Bafana Bafana host the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
With Group C reaching its climax, both teams are under pressure to get a result. South Africa aims to solidify its position at the top of the group, while Nigeria is desperate for a win to keep its World Cup hopes alive.
Current standings
Bafana Bafana lead the group on 16 points after sweeping aside Lesotho 3-0 in their last outing. Nigeria trails in third with 10 points, just one shy of Benin Republic, who sit second. On Sunday, the Eagles narrowly edged Rwanda 1-0 to stay in the race.
READ ALSO:Full List: Countries Most And Least Likely To Get US Visa For 2026 World Cup
Eagles under pressure
Nigeria’s inconsistent form—only two wins in five matches—means this tie could prove pivotal. Adding to the challenge, Hugo Broos’ South Africa are on a three-match unbeaten run at home and have won three qualifiers in a row.
Injury watch and key battles
The availability of Victor Osimhen remains uncertain after the striker suffered a knock against Rwanda.
Historically, Nigeria hold a slight edge in the rivalry with two wins in their last seven meetings.
READ ALSO:[FULL LIST] 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Egypt, Ivory Coast, Tunisia Lead Groups
Still, the South Africa team has been tough to beat on home soil, avoiding defeat in their last three games against the Eagles, including a 1-1 stalemate in 2024.
Rivalry
Nigeria’s last away win against South Africa came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Securing another statement victory on Tuesday would provide a huge boost to their qualification hopes.
Kickofft
The clash kicks off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
Fans can follow the action live on SuperSport, SportyBet TV, and AfroSport.
Sports
Why I Won’t Let My Siblings Play In NPFL —Ex-Eagles Midfielder Haruna Lukman
Published
5 days agoon
September 8, 2025By
Editor
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Haruna Lukman , has stated that he will never recommend any of his siblings to play in the Nigerian league.
Speaking during an interview on The Abu Azeez Podcast and sighted by PUNCH Online on Monday, the ex-Nigerian international said the Nigerian league is characterised by match fixing, citing a recent match between Rivers FC against Ikorodu City.
“The Nigerian Premier League is very poor, I am very sorry to say. They do not respect the senior ones who played in Europe, because coming down to play in Nigeria, they need to show us some respect. It is not easy to win something abroad, and when you decide to come back home to play, they offer you peanuts.
“For me Nigerian league is out of it, because I don’t see the Nigerian league as a league. I watched a competition they played at Onikan, it was my first time witnessing it. I went to watch Rivers against Ikorodu City. I sat down at the VIP and witnessed all sorts of match fixing by the referees, favouring one team against the other. I can’t advise any of my siblings or any of my siblings to play in the Nigerian league, ” he said.
READ ALSO:
Having played professionally in Europe, the individual expected a degree of respect, recognition, and fair treatment upon returning to Nigeria, but instead encountered a disappointing and disheartening environment.
The former AS Monaco star also revealed shocking details of the crisis that rocked Nigeria’s camp during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, stressing that the Super Eagles lacked unity and discipline both on and off the pitch.
“At the 2010 World Cup, it wasn’t just about football. There were serious issues. Some players fought physically, others spiritually. We didn’t play as a team. Everyone wanted to shine individually,” Haruna revealed.
Nigeria, coached then by Swedish tactician Lars Lagerbäck, crashed out of the group stage after failing to win any of their three matches, drawing once and losing twice.
READ ALSO:
Haruna insisted that the problems were beyond tactics, stressing that disunity and personal interests overshadowed national pride.
“We attacked each other spiritually. It was so bad that you could feel the disconnection on the pitch. That’s why we failed,” he added.
The Super Eagles’ 2010 campaign remains one of the most disappointing in Nigeria’s World Cup history, and Haruna’s revelations shed new light on the behind-the-scenes turmoil that contributed to the poor outing.
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