Sports

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

Published

8 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

UCL: Why I Snubbed Move To Real Madrid – Saliba

Published

7 days ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

Arsenal defender, William Saliba, has revealed why he turned down a move to Real Madrid.

Saliba recently put pen to paper on a contract extension with the Gunners.

The Frenchman has now claimed he wants to win silverware with the Premier League side, before he can think of leaving the Emirates.

“Of course it’s really tempting when a club like that is interested in you.

“But I wanted to win titles at Arsenal first before thinking about anything else,” Saliba told Telefoot.

Saliba might get his wish this season, as Arsenal look well on course to end their two-decade wait for the league title.

Mikel Arteta’s men are six points clear at the top after 10 matches.

Sports

UCL Matchday 4: Liverpool Host Real Madrid, Bayern Face PSG, Other Fixtures

Published

7 days ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

The league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League hits its halfway mark on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Matchday 4 arrives with drama scripted across Europe.

Eighteen games, countless storylines, and a stage where heroes, heartbreak, and history are never far apart.

From Anfield to Paris, Turin to Prague — the world’s greatest club competition enters its next act.

These preview details were obtained from the UCL website on Monday.

1. Liverpool vs Real Madrid

A rivalry defined by glory and grief — from Kyiv to Paris to Anfield’s famous nights.

Last season, the Reds finally broke their curse, a 2-0 victory ending an eight-game winless run against Los Blancos. Now, Jürgen Klopp’s men return to Anfield, chasing a 16th straight European home win — an Anfield fortress roaring under the lights.

Mohamed Salah stands on the brink of greatness: two goals from becoming the first African player to reach 50 in the Champions League. Across the pitch, a familiar face wears white now — Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Scouser turned Galáctico, facing the Kop for the first time.

Madrid’s own prodigy, Jude Bellingham, could rewrite history too. At 22 years and 128 days, he’s set to become the youngest ever player to make 50 Champions League appearances — eclipsing Iker Casillas, the symbol of Madrid’s golden past.

It’s not just a match. It’s memory, emotion, and destiny colliding.

2. PSG vs Bayern Munich

Paris have lost just two of their last 41 home Champions League group stage games, and the Parc des Princes is again a fortress. But Bayern are serial conquerors, with 13 wins in their last 15 meetings against French opposition.

All eyes will be on Ousmane Dembélé, who’s lived every twist of this rivalry — scorer, provider, even villain. He faces his old Bundesliga tormentors with something to prove. Meanwhile, Lucas Hernández meets his former teammates after switching red for blue.

At the other end, Harry Kane continues his European rampage — 11 goals in his last ten UCL appearances — while Joshua Kimmich eyes his 100th Champions League match for Bayern, joining legends Müller, Neuer, Lahm, and Kahn in elite company.

It’s a battle of old foes and new ambitions — with the scent of late drama thick in the Paris air.

3. Slavia Praha vs Arsenal

In Prague, memories of 2021 linger — when Arsenal crushed Slavia’s quarter-final dreams with a 4-0 rout.
Four years later, the Czech champions seek payback on home soil.

Slavia have found their scoring rhythm — goals in 26 of their last 27 European home games — but face an Arsenal side in imperious form. The Gunners are unbeaten in ten against Czech clubs, with seven straight UCL league-phase wins.

Gabriel Martinelli has found the net in all three of Arsenal’s group games — and the Brazilian’s fearless energy has made him Mikel Arteta’s symbol of this new Arsenal: vibrant, ruthless, relentless.

History favors the Gunners — but Slavia’s home spirit, under the lights of Eden Arena, makes this more than a formality. It’s redemption, reimagined.

4. Juventus vs Sporting CP
In Turin, it’s about legacy.

Juventus, chasing their 500th European Cup goal — the first Italian team to do so — meet Sporting CP, winless against Italian opposition since 2011.

The Bianconeri have stumbled on the continental stage lately — only two wins in their last 11 European games — and must rediscover their old ruthlessness. Sporting, ever daring, have scored in 19 straight group-stage matches, and will not come quietly.

For both sides, this isn’t just a fixture. It’s a test of belief.

Elsewhere Across Europe on Tuesday:

Tottenham vs Copenhagen
Napoli vs Frankfurt
Atlético Madrid vs Union Saint-Gilloise
Bodø/Glimt vs Monaco
Olympiacos vs PSV Eindhoven
PUNCH Online reports that the remaining games will take place on Wednesday.

Pafos vs Villarreal and Qarabağ vs Chelsea kick off early.
Ajax vs Galatasaray
Club Brugge vs Barcelona
Inter vs Kairat
Man City vs Dortmund
Newcastle vs Athletic Club
Marseille vs Atalanta
Benfica vs Leverkusen. Also reports that only five teams have maintained a perfect start winning all three games from the previous match days.

Sports

Okpebholo Bags SWAN Governor of the Year Award

Published

2 weeks ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

National Leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has named the governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the Distinguished Governor of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria.

The award will be formally presented to the governor on Friday, October 31, during SWAN’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary.

Edo State Chairman of SWAN, Comrade Kehinde Osagiede, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin when he led members of his executive on a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua.

Osagiede said the visit was aimed at officially introducing the Edo SWAN Executive — which assumed office about a year ago — to the commissioner and to strengthen collaboration between the association and the state government.

“Governor Monday Okpebholo was carefully selected for this honour because of his remarkable contributions to sports development in Nigeria within his first year in office.

“We also came to congratulate you, Mr. Commissioner, on your well-deserved appointment, and to inform you, as the spokesperson of the state government, about the forthcoming award to the governor,” he said.

He further assured that the Edo SWAN chapter would continue to collaborate with the state government to promote sports development across the state.

In his response, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, thanked SWAN for the recognition accorded Governor Okpebholo and for its support towards sports promotion in Edo State.

Afegbua, who disclosed that the governor was currently on official duty in Ekiti State, promised to brief him about the honour.

He urged sports journalists in the state to give balanced and positive coverage to the activities of Bendel Insurance Football Club, Edo Queens, and other sporting programmes initiated by the state government.

“The Edo State Government will continue to partner with SWAN to advance sports development in the state,” the commissioner assured.