By Kehinde Osagiede and M. O. Bendel on July 3, 2019

The technical crew and players of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin have apologised to the Edo State Government, the people and their fans all over the world for their inability to beat relegation and remain in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in the just-concluded season.

The Benin Arsenal returned to the country’s topflight football league in 2018/2019 season after eleven years in the lower division (NNL), only to be relegated immediately after losing 1-0 to Rivers Utd in Port Harcourt in their last game of the season in which they needed a draw to beat the drop.

Chief Coach Baldwin Bazuaye and Skipper Charles Omokaro while speaking during the club management meeting held recently in Benin City rendered the apology, saying that they were sorry that their efforts were not good enough to keep them in the NPFL after a tough season.

They highlighted some of the factors responsible for their unencouraging results to include lack of time to prepare and recruit players after last season’s Super 8 in Aba and the large number of clubs to drop.

Coach Bazuaye and Skipper Omokaro maintained that they find it difficult to go back to NNL after all their labour and government encouragement.

“We are really sorry for the disappointment. We know most of our supporters have been heartbroken especially our Deputy Governor and our Governor who have given their all to encourage us. It is regrettable that our performances were not commensurate with government efforts and resources committed into the club. We fell below the expectations of our people but we have the confidence that we can return to the elite division immediately,” Omokaro said.

While commending the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, for his untiring efforts and encouragement for the club, Omokaro however appealed to him and the State Government not to withdraw their love and care the club.

“We have just tasted some premier league actions after eleven years in the lower division and we are sure of returning immediately if given same encouragement we have been enjoying,” he said.

The representatives of government led by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Hon Kingsley Ehigiamusor, and Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Godwin Dudu-Orumen, however expressed appreciation to the players and officials of the club at the meeting, saying that they have really laboured and need some rest. The team, which included Governor Godwin Obaseki’s SA on Sports, Mrs Sabina Chikere, added that the club’s relegation is unfortunate but expressed the belief that they can bounce back.

They informed the players and officials that while management evaluates the activities of the club and ponder on the way forward, a date for commencement of end of season holiday break will be communicated.

•Photo shows Bendel Insurance line-up during one of their NPFL matches

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 3, 2019

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