The journey of ex – Bendel Insurance FC striker, late Mfon Bassey, to his eternal place of rest began today in Benin City as his ex – colleagues, coaches in the Edo State Sports Commission, friends and family members with Edo Football Association officials converged at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to pay their last respects to the late top scorer.
As early as 8.00 am, the Main Bowl of the Stadium was already opened and made ready as approved by the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Desmond Enabulele, for a novelty match between Ex-Bendel Insurance Stars and Edo State Sports Commission coaches as well as the lying in state supervised by the Edo Football Association Board led by Fred Newton Erhunmwunsee.
The novelty match which ended in a goalless draw brought together Insurance FC greats as well the leadership of Crescent Sports Club.
Thereafter, the corpse of the late Mfon Bassey arrived in a motorcade with his wife, Mrs. Joy Ehigiamusoe Mfom Bassey, son, Duke Mfon Bassey and two daughters Imahobong and Enohobong and his siblings in front for the procession.
Speaking on the life and time of the deceased during the lying in state, Edo FA Chairman, Fred Newton Erhunmwunsee, described him as an elegant and dedicated player who influenced victories for the Benin Arsenals.
”Mfon Bassey will be missed. We gathered ourselves together in the FA with his Ex-Bendel Insurance colleagues and coaches to give him the last respect with the novelty match.
“He was the best and we are sad that he left this world at a young age,” Erhunmwunsee said.
He commended Desmond Enabulele for his contributions towards the honour done to the deceased. Also speaking his teammate in the early 90s, Lucky Omorogbe Idahosa (aka Ovbiye), said that Mfon Bassey will always be remembered for the fun memories he joined to create while playing for Bendel Insurance between 1990 and 1995, a period when they won the WAFU Cup three times and CAF Cup in 1994.
“We played together. I played as a defender while Mfon Bassey was our top striker. Each time we had difficulty in scoring we beckoned on him for rescue and he always delivered. He will definitely be missed.
“He left Ibadan to play for Bendel Insurance and adopted Benin as home ahead of Ibadan and his native land of Oron in Akwa Ibom State. He married a Benin woman and worked as a coach in the Edo State Sports Commission after his successful football career,” Ovbiye said.
Aituari Igbinedion, CEO Aidia Sports Club, on his part said that Mfon Bassey was his bosom friend that he will miss.
“He was one of the reasons I was watching Insurance games regularly as a football fan. He remains the best striker Bendel Insurance FC has ever produced. He is a legend and may his soul rest in peace,” he said.
Mfon Bassey passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at his Benin residence after a protracted illness, leaving behind his wife, Joy Ehigiamusoe and three children.
His remains were taken back to his residence in Benin after the lying in state for burial on Friday evening.
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