Sports

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

Published

12 months ago

January 14, 2025

Editor

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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AFCON 2025: Lookman Scores Winner As Super Eagles Start Campaign With 2–1 Victory Over Tanzania

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Ademola Lookman scored what proved to be the decisive goal as Nigeria beat Tanzania 2-1 in their opening game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles came into the match as heavy favourites to win and dominated the opening exchanges.

After coming close a few times, the three-time champions took the lead through Semi Ajayi.

The ball was recycled following a corner-kick, before Alex Iwobi crossed it into the area for Ajayi to head home.

Tanzania equalized after Charles M’Mombwa found himself unmarked inside the area.

But two minutes later, Nigeria struck the winner through Lookman, who took a few touches and finished with his left foot.

Sports

JUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2025

Editor

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025, following a season in which he contributed significantly to both his club and the France national team.

Dembélé, known for his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, played a central role in Paris Saint-Germain’s campaigns across domestic and European competitions. His performances for the national team also helped France secure notable results in international fixtures.

Speaking on the recognition, Dembélé said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. I could not have achieved this without my teammates at PSG and in the national team, whose support has been invaluable.”

In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named FIFA Best Women’s Player for 2025. Bonmatí was influential in Barcelona’s domestic and European campaigns, providing leadership, vision, and creativity in midfield. She also played a key role in Spain’s international successes.

“This award reflects the hard work of my teammates and coaches,” Bonmatí said. “I am grateful for their guidance and support throughout the season.”

The announcements reaffirm FIFA’s recognition of individual excellence in football while highlighting the contributions of players to both club and country.

Sports

Court Fixes Date To Hear Sala Compensation Dispute

Published

3 weeks ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

A commercial court examining the long-running dispute between Cardiff City and French club Nantes over compensation for the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash said Monday it would give its decision on March 30 next year.

Sala, a 28-year-old Argentine striker, died when the light aircraft taking him to the Welsh capital came down in the English Channel on January 21, 2019, two days after he had signed for the then-Premier League side. He and pilot David Ibbotson were killed.

The Welsh club took the case to the Nantes commercial court in 2023 to claim compensation for loss of income and other damages suffered by the club as a result of the player’s death.

Following an analysis conducted by an expert appointed by Cardiff City, the club estimated their losses at over 120 million euros ($139.5 million). Lawyers for both clubs made their cases at Monday’s hearing.

The Welsh club argue that Nantes, through their intermediary, agent Willie McKay, were the organisers of the private flight on which the footballer was travelling and that, if the transfer was effective at the time of the accident according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it is the organisation of this flight that is at issue.

Cardiff City’s lawyer, Olivier Loizon, told the court Monday, Willie McKay “could not have been unaware of the illegality of the flight”, and argued that the agent had acted with “negligence”.

“Whatever the ultimate cause of the accident, (Sala) should not have been on the flight,” he added.

Nantes’ lawyer, Jerome Marsaudon, insisted Monday the only agent authorised by the club in connection with the transfer was Mark McKay, the son of Willie McKay.

The elder McKay “was simply helping his son, given his extensive experience”, the lawyer said.

“It is sad to see that Cardiff have exploited this tragedy and turned it into a genuine legal farce,” he added. “Nothing in this case justifies holding FC Nantes liable.”

Prior to the start of the hearing, a Nantes representative said the club “have no doubt that Cardiff’s claims will be rejected outright, just like all the others”.

In another case related to the dispute between the two clubs, CAS ruled in 2022 that Sala’s transfer had definitely been finalised at the time of his death.

In 2023, world football’s governing body FIFA ordered Cardiff to pay Nantes the balance of Sala’s transfer fee, which at the time amounted to just over 11 million euros out of a total of 17 million euros.