The management of Bendel Insurance Football Club led by the Executive Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yussuf Alli, has urged the players and officials of the Benin Arsenals to put the thoughts of their home defeat to Abia Warriors behind them and concentrate on their next match at Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.
The Edo State Sports Commission boss said that the Match Day 10 duel with Sunshine Stars on Sunday in Ijebu-Ode is more important than the 1-0 defeat to Abia Warriors on Saturday in Benin.
OLY Yussuf Alli was speaking when he paid the team a surprise visit during their evening training session on Wednesday with a pleasant motivation package of undisclosed amount of money. He told the team that though management is not happy with their below par performance so far this season but will however continue to encourage them to strive for success which is near if the right attitude and energy is put up.
“I am here this afternoon to encourage you to put the thoughts of the home defeat behind you and have hundred percent concentration for the next match. Go to Ijebu-Ode and win to fully recover from the last weekend setback.
“I must tell you the truth that we are not happy with the results we are getting. There is a growing concern by stakeholders about our performance and current situation in the league. We have done all that is required for you to succeed and it is not showing.
“However, we want to believe that soon, we will rise above the challenges and find our rhythm and winning mentality. Don’t feel despair but continue to work hard and avoid distractions. You guys are good, it is just little mistakes we are making that is affecting us and we can correct them,” Alli said.
He challenged the players and coaches to seize the opportunity of the Ijebu-Ode neutral ground for the match against Sunshine Stars to cover their lost grounds.
Responding, the Head Coach and Technical Director of Bendel Insurance FC, Monday Odigie, expressed the team’s appreciation for the kind words and encouragement from the Sports Commission Chairman against the expectation that the chairman was going to be hard on them.
“Mr. Chairman we sincerely appreciate you sir. We will continue to work hard and do our best to turn things around. We apologize for the outcome of the Abia Warriors game,” he said.
Sunday Megwo’s 40th minute goal gave Abia Warriors a 1-0 victory over Bendel Insurance Football Club in the Match Day 9 of the Nigeria Premier Football League in Benin last weekend. Bendel Insurance will be on the road to Ijebu-Ode on Sunday to face Sunshine Stars in the Match Day 10 fixture. Kick off time is 4pm.
Meanwhile, Bendel Insurance duo of Michael Enaruna(forward) and captain Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi(midfield) have been invited to the camp of Nigeria’s home based Super Eagles for the CHAN 2025 Tournament. The duo are already in the camp of the National team in Abuja as they were not seen on the training ground of the Benin Arsenals.
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