Sports

Govt Unveils New Management Teams, Coaches For Bendel Insurance, Edo Queens

Published

8 months ago

January 14, 2025

The Edo State Government on Tuesday unveiled the new management teams and coaches for the state-owned football clubs – Bendel Insurance Football Club and Edo Queen Football Club.

Making the official unveiling of the management teams on Tuesday at Government House, Benin, Governor Monday Okpebholo, also unveiled 13 new players injected into Edo Queens FC to further fortify them in the new season.

Okpebholo, represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, noted that the unveiling of the new management team and coaches was an affirmation of his government’s commitment to revitalising the football clubs and restoring it back to its glory days.

He added that his administration prioritised sporting activities, adding that that was why the government was committed to revitalizing the clubs and taking them to enviable heights in both national and intercontinental football competitions.

“Today’s unveiling of the management and players of Bendel Insurance FC and Edo Queens underscores the importance this administration places on sport as a verifiable vehicle for cohesion and progress

“The appointment of the new management team and extra players are testaments of government resolve to revitalize Bendel insurance and Edo Queens FC and restore it to its glory days in Nigeria football competitions.

“And the resolve of this present administration to support Edo State Commission’s vision of grooming talents, especially youths in channeling their energy as envisioned by the founding fathers

“The new coach, the technical directors and the team management must work together to improve on the performance of Bendel Insurance FC and advance the club beyond Premier league tournament.

“The new players must shun indiscipline, hooliganism and embrace team work to place them ahead in the league,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Edo State Sport Commission, Desmond Enabulele, said that the unveiling of the clubs management teams was geared towards taking the clubs to national and international competitions.

According to him, the Commission carefully selected the management crew and new players based on their performances, competence and capacity.

He assured the government of improved results in their performances, promising to bring national and international glory to the state.

For Bendel Insurance FC, Greg Ikhenoba is the substantive Head Coach, Augustine Iyamu, Technical Director, Peter Obanor, Team Manager and Idemudia Esigbe, the Scouting Director.

Greg Ikhinoba took over from Coach Monday Odigie who in some few months resigned as the Head Coach of the Club.

For the Edo Queens, Moses Aduku, remains the substantive Head Coach, Coach Rollanson Aituairi Odeh, General Manager, Anthony Ipogah, as scouting coach and Princess Omoyemwen Adeyinka Afolabi, welfare officer of the Club.

Related Topics:Bendel Insurance Edo Queens Okpebholo

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Sports

Liverpool Vs Arsenal: Gunners Seek 1st EPL Win At Anfield Since 2012

Published

1 hour ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

Arsenal head to Anfield this Sunday—seeking a first Premier League win there since 2012—a victory will bolster their title pursuit.

Currently unbeaten in two league matches, Arsenal boast of the division’s best defensive record; Liverpool, the defending champions, have conceded goals early this season.

Liverpool, unbeaten at home in August since 2015, have scored in 36 successive league matches—a potential new record.

Arsenal’s injury list is mounting– Saka, Havertz, Odegaard and Jesus are either out or doubtful.

New 68 million pound signing, Eberechi Eze, may debut.

Mikel Arteta praised Eze’s “special aura” at training; he is expected to spark creativity amid absentee worries.

Liverpool offer positive fitness news; Mac Allister is training again; no new concerns reported by manager Arne Slot.

Arteta says the fixture is “defining” for perception as much as league position; he urges belief through adversity.

Slot admits Arsenal pose a serious threat—particularly from set-pieces—but insists his side is fully prepared.

The Anfield record speaks volumes: League meetings have ended in draws lately.

Arsenal are winless there in 12 league trips—and have not won since 2012.

Head-to-head balance remains tight; in 244 meetings, Liverpool lead 95–83 in wins; 66 ended level.

Recent league matches at Anfield have mostly ended in stalemates, including a 2‑2 draw in May 2025 when Arsenal came from two down.

A draw may be respectable; a loss, predictable under circumstances; a win, however, will irreversibly shift the narrative in Arsenal’s favour.

As the players emerge onto that famed Anfield turf, this fixture transcends tactics; it will come down to mindset, belief—and perhaps a debut that sparks hope.

Game day may well redefine Arsenal’s season.

(NAN)

Sports

Chelsea Vs Barcelona, Arsenal Vs Bayern — UEFA Releases Fixture Date, Time

Published

1 day ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

Chelsea vs Barcelona, Arsenal vs Bayern — UEFA releases fixture date, time
UEFA has officially released the full fixtures, dates, and kick-off times for the 2025/26 Champions League league phase, setting the stage for blockbuster matches involving Europe’s biggest clubs.

The schedule follows the draw held on Thursday, 28 August 2025, which determined the opponents for all 36 participating clubs under the new league-phase format.

According to the schedule, Chelsea will host Barcelona on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, in one of the standout ties of Matchday Five, with kick-off set for 21:00 CET. Arsenal, on the other hand, will face German giants Bayern Munich on the same matchday, also on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at 21:00 CET.

In Matchday 1, Bayern Munich will host Chelsea at the Allianz Arena in a repeat of the 2012 Champions League final, where the Blues won 4-3 on penalties. On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Barcelona will welcome PSG in the standout fixture for MatchDay 2.

Matchday 4 features another high-profile fixture as Paris Saint-Germain host Bayern Munich on Wednesday, 5 November. On the same night, Liverpool renew their fierce rivalry with Real Madrid at Anfield, with kick-off time set for 21:00 CET.

Now in its second year running, the Champions League is being played under UEFA’s new “league phase” format, which replaced the traditional group stage. Instead of eight groups of four, all 36 participating teams are placed in a single league table, each playing eight different opponents, four at home and four away.

The top eight sides qualify automatically for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will contest a play-off round to secure their spot in the knockouts.

Opening Champions League fixtures (1900 GMT unless stated)

Tuesday, September 16

Athletic Bilbao (ESP) v Arsenal (ENG) (1645 GMT)

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) (1645 GMT)

Juventus (ITA) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Real Madrid (ESP) v Marseille (FRA)

Benfica (POR) v Qarabag (AZE)

Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) v Villarreal (ESP)

Wednesday, September 17

Olympiacos (GRE) v Pafos (CYP) (1645 GMT)

Slavia Prague (CZE) v Bodo/Glimt (NOR) (1645 GMT)

Ajax (NED) v Inter Milan (ITA)

Bayern Munich (GER) v Chelsea (ENG)

Liverpool (ENG) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) v Atalanta (ITA)

Thursday, September 18

Club Brugge (BEL) v Monaco (FRA) (1645 GMT)

FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Bayer Leverkusen (GER) (1645 GMT)

Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) v Galatasaray (TUR)

Manchester City (ENG) v Napoli (ITA)

Newcastle United (ENG) v Barcelona (ESP)

Sporting (POR) v Kairat Almaty (KAZ)

Sports

West Ham Reject Chance To Sign Andre Onana On Loan

Published

2 days ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

West Ham United have reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan, according to The Guardian.

The Hammers are in the market for a new goalkeeper after summer signing Mads Hermansen, who joined from Leicester City, has struggled to impress. However, the club made it clear that Onana, who has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford, is not seen as an upgrade on their current options.

The 29-year-old Cameroon international lost his starting spot to Altay Bayindir this season under new United manager Ruben Amorim, and he was offered to West Ham as a potential solution. But the London club rejected the deal.

Onana returned to action in midweek against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup but endured another difficult night as United crashed out to the League Two side. He was partly at fault for the Mariners’ second goal after failing to deal with a cross, and United eventually lost 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

West Ham, meanwhile, are actively exploring other targets. Talks are reportedly ongoing with Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, while the club has also revived its interest in Botafogo’s John Victor, having reached an agreement in principle for the Brazilian during the summer.

Manager Graham Potter is under pressure to resolve the club’s goalkeeping issues, with Hermansen conceding eight goals in just two league appearances, including three from set pieces against Chelsea last weekend. Backup option Alphonse Areola also failed to impress in a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.