CAFCC: Bendel Insurance hosts RS Berkane of Morocco

Sep 15, 2023 - 10:34

Football enthusiasts in Edo State are brimming with anticipation as the state capital, Benin City, wears a new look, with different parts of the city painted in yellow, the iconic hues of Bendel Insurance.

This is as the Benin Arsenals get set for the highly-anticipated CAF qualifiers’ clash with Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) of Morocco.

The team will host the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup winners on Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in the first leg of the Second qualifying round of the competition.

The teams will battle for a place in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup Competition. The Benin Arsenals who are Nigeria’s Federation Cup holders, secured their spot in the Second Round of the CAF Confederations Cup after an impressive first and second-leg performance against Aso Chlef of Algeria, who are the 2022/23 Algerian Cup winners.

Speaking with journalists ahead of the clash, the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Andrew Okungbowa, urged the people to come out in their numbers to cheer the team to victory. The visiting Moroccan team were expected to arrive in Lagos, on Thursday.

Also commenting on the match, Sixtus Omokhagbor, Senior Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Sports said “We are looking forward to receiving them.

“I am using this medium to invite fans to come and cheer our team to victory while behaving as true fans should, by being great hosts to the visiting team,” he said.

When asked if the late commencement of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) did not affect preparations, the official said that it did.

“Ideally, the league and CAF Champions Cup should happen at the same time; so, the players can be in their best form.

“What we have done is to organise friendly matches.

“Last week, we had one against Sporting Lagos FC. Edo State Government did this because it understands the need for match fitness.

“In camp, morale is equally high, the players are in good spirits