Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu on Wednesday paid a surprise and training visit to the Bendel Insurance football club of Benin at their evening training and charged the team to remain focused.
Shaibu in his usual tradition since 2016, took part in all training phases of the team at the Western Boys High School football pitch amidst cheers by the team’s supporters present at the training.
The former captain of the team while addressing the journalists after the training thanked God for holding the team and restated the drive behind the recruitment made before the commencement of the season.
“I thank God that Bendel Insurance is still intact – before the beginning of the season, we made some recruitment and added some quality players to join what we had already and sustain our undefeated run.”
Shaibu not oblivious of the nature of the league said he wants the players to remain fit and pumped for the hectic season.
“This time, it’s going to be hectic because we are running a straight league where we will be playing 38 matches – unlike the abridged.”
“We needed to beef the team up, preparing for that lengthy marathon league we will be playing this year. We need every player to be fit and avoid injuries.”
“We have a team that we are sure that they will be able to sustain the tempo of the level that we are.”
“Bendel Insurance is a team to beat anyways and they are conscious of it and that’s why we beefed the team up.”
Shaibu who registered his delight at how the team is improving and nearing the vision had further stated that the team is missing Imade Osarenkhoe who moved to the United Arab Emirates a few weeks ago and that after speaking with him, the lanky forward told him of his excitement in making the move.
“We are missing one of the players, Imade – I spoke with him yesterday and we had almost 1 hour of conversation last night and he’s excited to be in his new club.”
“The good news is that Bendel Insurance is coming up as we want, our players are now going outside the country and they are doing well. Glory started it in Edo Queens, she’s doing well – I’m hopeful that Imade will have a call-up very soon in the national team and more of our players.”
Conclusively, the unarguably most sports-loving elected public officer holders in Nigeria urged the fans of the FA Cup champions to come out in their thousands to support the team and also pray for their continuous success.
“For Bendel Insurance, I want Edo people to come out enmas on Saturday and support their darling team and not only come physically to watch them they should pray for them that the god of football and luck should continue to go with Insurance because Insurance is a movement, but it’s also our darling team – so, all of us should come out and support them.”