Sports

NPFL25: Strategize On Enhancing Team Performance, Enabulele Charges Bendel Insurance Management

Published

10 months ago

March 5, 2025

The Executive Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission (ESSC), Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele has charged the management of Bendel Insurance Football Club on the need to strategize on enhancing the team performance in the ongoing season and beyond.

Enabulele gave the charge during a meeting with the coaches and management team of Bendel Insurance FC at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, on Wednesday.

The Edo Sports Commission boss, while
commending the coaches and players of the Benin Arsenal on their ability to effect a turn around in the ongoing 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League ( NPFL), specially lauded the Head Coach, Greg Ikhenoba for his dedication.

He stresses the importance of proper data for players and recruitment process, as well as technical depth, and teamwork among the coaching crew and management team of Bendel Insurance FC.

Enabulele, who noted that his priority is to build a strong Bendel Insurance FC, disclosed that “our Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is passionate about sports, and we must encourage him with victories.”

“My priority is to build a strong Bendel Insurance FC, as the Governor is keen on improving the team’s performance by providing the necessary resources and enabling environment for the club to thrive” Enabulele stated.

He continued: “Our objective is to bring glory to the state and, in return, boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through Bendel Insurance FC.

“Since the state government is making significant investments in the team, it is imperative that we reciprocate by finishing among the top three in the league. Football should be seen as a business.

“We should have won our last away match against Bayelsa United, but the result was disappointing. The team must strive to secure victories, particularly in our upcoming home game against Remo Stars on Saturday.

“Let me commend the head coach Greg Ikhenoba and his team for the good job they have been doing so far.

“When I came to the Edo State Sports Commission, I met Insurance at the rock bottom of the league table, precisely in the 20th position and it was a big concern to us. We only encouraged them.

“So, the ability of the team to fight for their way out of the relegation zone and now sitting comfortably in the 8th position is really commendable irrespective of the result posted in Yenagoa on Sunday,” He said.

The Executive Chairman, while acknowledging the past achievements of the club, stressed the need to pursue new goals and set an agenda.

“We have surpassed our initial targets of fighting to survive in the premier league, our next focus is securing a top-four finish to qualify for continental football.

“We must also ensure a structured transition of players from our academy to the senior team, which will enhance morale boosting across our feeder teams.

“Honestly, coach Greg Ikhenoba and his team have really made us proud despite the 2-1 loss to Bayelsa United on Sunday,” He said.

Enabulele expressed his confidence in the team to do better.

“I believe strongly that we can do better. I am a results-oriented person. Let’s continue to work hard for us to get to the destination of success.

“We are currently working on giving the team a befitting camp with standard hostel facilities and to improve the welfare of the players and officials,” He assured

Responding, the Head Coach, Ikhenoba of Bendel Insurance expressed confidence in the team’s ability to make more progress, stating, “We have successfully met our initial mandate, and our focus is now on elevating our performance to gain continental recognition.

“I appreciate the Executive Chairman for his unwavering support.”

Recall that Bendel Insurance FC were battling to survive in the relegation waters towards the end of the first round of the league in December when Enabulele assumed office as the Executive chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission.

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Sports

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.