By Ogochukwu Isioma in Benin City
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has congratulated Bendel Insurance FC of Edo for qualifying for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Rangers International FC of Enugu one nil to lift their 4th FA Cup after 43 years.
Shaibu who was at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, venue for the competition, to cheer Insurance to victory, hailed the 2023 FA Cup champions for their great outing during the Wednesday night’s match.
He said, “Our boys gave a good account of themselves as they played the highly rated Enugu Rangers, who showed class as the FA Cup final lived up to the predictions of the pundits.”
According to him, Wednesday night’s victory means that Bendel Insurance will represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup after defeating their rival, Enugu Rangers 1-0.
He noted that a first-half goal from the penalty spot by Imade Osarenkhoe was all that was needed by the boys to book a place in the CAF Confederation Cup, after many years of absence at the continental scene.
The visibly elated Deputy Governor while recalling that just a year ago, Bendel Insurance only gained promotion to the Nigerian Premier League (NPL), declared that, “today, we have achieved a treble.”
He thanked his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki whom he described as a sports-loving governor, for his support, morally and financially for the team, which he affirmed led to the success of today.
Shaibu also thanked the team and the coaching crew for their dedication and belief in their abilities “as no one gave them a chance of winning the league unbeaten or qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup.”
”This is a well-deserved victory and I hope to see you boys in Benin soon,” the Edo Deputy Governor told the victorious Bendel Insurance players and 2023 FA Cup champions.
