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CAF Game: Obaseki Rallies Residents As Bendel Insurance Hosts Algeria’s Aso Chlef

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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.

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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.

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“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

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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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Why I’ll Never Advise My Son To Visit Nigeria – Taribo West

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Ex-Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, Is Dead

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

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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.

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“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.

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CHAN 2024: Top Scorers Ahead Of Quarter-final Fixtures

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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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READ ALSO:US Envoy, Minister Address Visa Policy Changes, Urge Compliance

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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Isak Breaks Silence, Insists On Leaving Newcastle; Club Disagree

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Alexander Isak believes his departure from Newcastle is “in the best interests of everyone” after breaking his silence on the saga of the Premier League transfer window amid speculation over a move to Liverpool.

The Swedish international, who was the second-highest goalscorer in the Premier League last season, has not featured for the Magpies in pre-season or their opening game of the campaign, a 0-0 draw away at Aston Villa on Saturday.

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Liverpool have reportedly had a £110 million bid ($149 million) rejected for the 25-year-old, with Newcastle holding out for a British transfer record fee of up to £150 million.

Isak released a statement on Tuesday after deciding not to appear at the Professional Footballers’ Association awards event despite being selected in the Premier League 2024/25 team of the year.

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“I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors,” Isak posted on Instagram.

“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”

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According to reports, Isak had been promised an improved contract only for northeast side Newcastle to hold off due to pressures of meeting financial sustainability rules.

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Newcastle responded with a statement late Tuesday saying that while they were saddened by Isak’s comments, they could yet welcome the 25-year-old back into the squad.

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“We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening,” the club wrote. “We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.”

The statement added: “This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”

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Isak has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances since joining from Real Sociedad in 2022, including the winner against Liverpool in the League Cup final earlier this year that ended Newcastle’s 70-year wait to win a domestic trophy.

Liverpool have already spent around £300 million overhauling a squad that romped to the Premier League title last season.

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But they have also recouped over £200 million in sales and are still in the market for attacking options after the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez and tragic death of Diogo Jota.

Any deal is unlikely to be done before the two clubs face off in their next Premier League game on Monday at St James’ Park.

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