As Bendel Insurance FC prepare to take on Nasarawa Utd on Sunday evening, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission(ESSC), Desmond Enabulele, has commended the players and officials of Bendel Insurance FC for their show of commitment and patriotism which has taken the club this far in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL).
He was speaking during his unannounced visit to the team at their evening training session at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. He said that his commission and himself are not really under any pressure to win the league, stating that the target given to him by his employer is to make sure Insurance is motivated to remain in the topflight league.
According to Enabulele, when the feat is achieved nothing stops the team from aspiring to the next level. The Match Day 34 encounter kicks off by 5:30pm.
“I’m here this evening for us to discuss the way forward concerning the remaining part of the season but let me, on behalf of the state government and the Sports Commission, appreciate your efforts so sar. Despite our setback in the Federation Cup, losing 1-0 to Rangers in Lagos, we must commend you for all that you have done this season.
“When I assumed duty on December 17, 2024, Bendel Insurance was swinging between 19 and 20 on the league table but today, the narrative has changed. The terrible situation we met you people was what prompted our Governor to mandate us to motivate you in any way possible to escape relegation.
“I think we can now look up and see that we have something to fight for. We are fifth. Number two and three positions are achievable if we can work harder, concentrate more and stir up. We should know that the key to the continental presence is near our hand only if we can aspire, challenge ourselves now that we are out of federation cup. So, guys let’s fight for the key to the promised land. We are going to motivate you more, so give us what we want and we will do more.
“We are doing something about your camp hostels already, and we are assuring you that immediately you secure continental place, we will review your salary. Win on Sunday and get the package I have prepared for you. This one is higher than what I have been giving you.
“Though we are not under any pressure because we have surpassed our initial target which was to survive. Now that we have achieved that with your dedication and commitment, let us aspire to get continental presence. If we win the remaining five games and two or three teams in front of us drop three or four points, we would have achieved our new target. Go to the field on Sunday and beat Nasarawa Utd and I will do the needful before we talk about the next away trip,” he emphasized.
Hon Enabulele is enthusiastic about Insurance’s chances of getting continental ticket and wants the Benin Arsenals to be fully focused on the league as they are out of contention in the Federation Cup.
Responding on behalf of the team, the Head Coach, Greg Ikhenoba, expressed his team’s application, assuring Enabulele and the state government of their commitment to make them proud.
“We don’t know what we would have done without you our honourable chairman. Since you came onboard, you have always been with us. Even when things were very bad you kept encouraging us both in cash and kind. We want to say thank you sir. We want to win for you and our Governor,” he assured.
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