CAF Confederation Cup: Obaseki, Eguavon React As Bendel Insurance Beat Aso Chlef

Edo-state-owned football club, Bendel Insurance defeated their guests, Aso Chlef FC of Algeria in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.

During the game which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium earlier today, August 19, both sides played a goalless draw until the 42nd minute before Imade Osarenkhoe stepped up to give the home team the lead.

In the second half, the two teams failed to break each other defense as the Nigeria Professional Football League side ended the game with a lone goal.

At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, Bendel Insurance are expected to be at the Stade Mabrouki Salem in Algeria for the return leg.

After the home win, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, issued a statement to commend the state-owned team and hoped for a favourable result in the return leg.

“I feel happy as we have a very good, youthful, strong, and imaginative team. I am thrilled and pleased with their performance this evening. The weather was not clement, but the boys performed well”, the governor said.

“They had good ball control. Having studied the Algerian team, our coach will make sure they put up a good strategy and come home with the victory. I am very optimistic that we will get a win over there in Algeria.”

Also, the Nigeria Football Federation technical director, Austin Eguavon who was also at the stadium to watch the game applauded Bendel Insurance and urged them to make their supporters proud in the return leg.

“Bendel Insurance has been out of the continental contest for a long time. Coming back now, they have brought beauty to the game. Our return leg in Algeria will be a very tough one but we hope Bendel Insurance will make us proud”, the former Super Eagles Coach  was quoted as saying.