Bendel Insurance start Preseason with 1-0 win, 12 new players feature

Bendel Insurance kicked off their preparations for the 2024/25 season with a narrow 1-0 win over Crusaders Academy in the Governor Douye Diri Preseason Tournament at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Monday morning, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.

Chinedu Chukwujeikwu emerged as the hero of the match, scoring the decisive goal in the 63rd minute. His effort secured the win for Monday Odigie’s Benin Arsenal as they begin to rebuild following the departure of several key players.

The team’s lineup saw 12 fresh faces, likely still on trial, as Bendel Insurance adjusts to the exit of prominent players such as Sunday Anyawu, who recently joined Östersunds, Evans Ogbonda, now with Enugu Rangers, and Sarki Ismael, currently training with Enyimba. Also absent from the squad were established names like Junior Osaghae, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Okorom, Ebuka Akobundu, Paul Obata, and Stephen Sodje.

In the ongoing Bayelsa preseason tournament, Bendel Insurance will face stern tests in Group B against Rivers United and Kwara United. Their next match is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:30 pm, where they will take on Rivers United following a rest day on Tuesday. The group stage will wrap up on Friday with a clash against Kwara United.

Bendel Insurance concluded the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season in 9th place with 53 points, a performance seen as below expectations for the Benin-based team.