…charges team to remain focused as league winds down
As the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2022/2023 season gradually climaxes, Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has charged the Benin Arsenal to remain focused, to finish on a high note as they host Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, on matchday 15 of the abridged season this Saturday.
The Deputy Governor gave the charge during the team’s training Friday evening at their Benin camp, in preparation for today’s encounter.
Shaibu, who joined the team in training and felicitated with the Muslim players and officials in the team, seized the opportunity to remind the boys ahead of the task ahead, as the season winds down with so many expectations on their performance.
Recall that for the umpteenth time, Shaibu trained with the team ahead of their last Sunday matchday 14 clash with Remo Stars FC of Ikenne, Ogun State.
The Deputy Governor, who is the former captain and retired player of the club, visited the boys Friday while reminding them of the tasks ahead.
He spoke about what informed his decision to train with the boys again, after last week’s training session.
“We are going into the critical moment of the league and with fourteen matches gone and four left, this is when fatigue sets in for the players. That’s why I’m here to give them a morale-boosting visit, to charge them and make them know that they have to conserve their energies to finish strong”.
“From my experience as a former player, in my active days, this is the most demanding period of the season. Do not forget that Insurance is the only unbeaten team in the league this season and many teams want to beat them. These are major tasks before them and that’s why I have come to charge them to remain calm, play their game and not be carried away that they haven’t lost any game”.
Shaibu, however, sent a message to the teeming fans of the former league champions, to come all out on Saturday and cheer their darling team to victory against their opponents.
“I’m using this moment to also encourage our teeming fans to come out tomorrow(today), to charge the team to beat Elkanemi. We need the match to consolidate their form. Insurance has eleven players, but the fans are the twelfth player. When the spirit is down in the eleven, the twelfth will be there to lift them, sing for them, cheer them and push them to win”.
Meanwhile, Shaibu predicted that Benin Arsenal will win and win big in Saturday’s match.
“I’m predicting that we will win tomorrow(today) and it will be a big win”.
Bendel lnsurance FC after 14 games, has amassed 28 points to occupy the first position in group A of NPFL.
The team has topped the league table since the kick-off of the season and maintained its unbeaten run so far.
Photos: Egbobawaye Imuegbe